Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

601 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Performance (64)
Image quality (38)
Screen (38)
Focus (23)
Responsiveness (17)

Negative
Battery (22)
Flash (6)
Features (1)
Usability (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 601 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the responsiveness and focus. The screen and image quality are also mentioned favorably, whereas many are critical about the features and usability.

performance, image quality, screen, focus, responsiveness

battery, flash, usability, features

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Compact System Cameras the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 86/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 601 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(58% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (31% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (7% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews (2% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

Performance
Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)

Image quality
Show positive (58%)Show negative (7%)(Show all)

Screen
Show positive (42%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

Focus
Show positive (48%)None yet(Show all)

Battery
Show positive (12%)Show negative (41%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 184 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 184 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (421)

Expert review by: Dan Havlik (wired.com)

Compact Prosumer Cam Travels Well, Shoots Sharp

This follow-up to Panasonic's GH1 camera sticks with the previous model's look and feel but adds some important upgrades and features.

Blazing autofocus. Faster bit rates for better HD video quality. Touchscreen tracking lets you pull focus in video using just your pinkie. Superb mic for outdoor shooting

Feature-laden to the point of feeling bloated. Pricey

Jun, 2011

Read the full review

dpreview.com - SILVER AWARD

Expert review by: Barnaby Britton (with additional material by Richa (dpreview.com)

Panasonic DMC-GH2 Review

When Panasonic first launched the GH1, its second Micro Four Thirds camera, it was widely seen as simply being a G1 with video shooting and a considerably more expensive kit lens. And, if your primary concern was stills photography then this wasn't an...

Excellent multi-aspect ratio sensor with good resolution and high-ISO performance in compact body ; Good build quality and handling ; Hands on' interface offers plenty of physical control points ; Advanced and effective touch-screen implementation (but...

Uninspiring JPEGs in some situations mean Raw conversion needed to get best results ; Auto White Balance can be too blue, especially outdoors ; 24P Cinema mode only available in Manual Movie Mode (set on exposure mode dial) ; Although the finish has...

The GH2 is the best G-series camera to date, and the improvements that Panasonic has made compared to the GH1 and G2, especially as regards AF performance and movie shooting, are meaningful and very welcome. We love the combination of physical control...

Mar, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by: Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

It may not be a "true DSLR," but the interchangeable-lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 has features that outclass some of today's DSLRs, and the camera may indicate where future DSLRs are headed with regard to controls and video options.

Innovative touchscreen controls for focusing ; Best-in-class video quality ; Full manual controls for both stills and video ; Tilt-and-swivel 3-inch LCD touchscreen ; Comfortable ergonomic grip ; Hardware controls for fast access to most settings ;...

Big for a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera ; No optical viewfinder ; No in-body image stabilization ; Expensive ; Might be better suited for video than stills

The interchangeable-lens Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 puts an innovative spin on touchscreen controls for advanced focusing tricks, and it has the best video capabilities we've seen to date among still cameras.

Mar, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by: Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 (with 14-42mm lens, Silver)

Following up Panasonic's video darling, the DMC-GH1, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 delivers some important enhancements, including a much-needed HDMI connector. Its price and feature set--by accident or design--targets photo and video enthusiasts rather...

Excellent video quality; articulating display with generally good touch-screen interface; variable frame-rate movie mode

Annoying AVCHD-imposed limitations for video; no way to lock AF area on touch screen; middling battery life

It's speedy, feature-packed, and an excellent ILC for shooting video, but to consistently get really good photos out of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 requires shooting raw.

Jan, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by: Richard Baguley (digitalcamerainfo.com)

Panasonic Lumix GH2 First Impressions Review

The Lumix DMC-GH2 is the new flagship of the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds camera range, which offers interchangeable lenses in a compact package. Our first impressions of this camera are that it adds some useful features (such as 3D images and some new...

The Lumix GH2 adds a number of new features to the Micro Four Thirds mix, including upping the still resolution and the maximum video bitrate and adding a touch screen. But it is missing a few things that we would have liked to have seen, such as a...

Sep, 2010

Read the full review

Expert review by: Jeff Keller (dcresource.com)

Lumix DMC-GH2

(priced from $899) is a hybrid camera/camcorder that uses the Micro Four Thirds standards. It's the follow-up to the DMC-GH1, and it offers a host of new features, including a higher resolution sensor, faster autofocus and continuous shooting, a...

Very good photo quality (though see issues below) ; Compact, generally solid body (despite being plastic); comes in two colors ; Flip-out, rotating 3-inch touchscreen LCD display with high resolution, great outdoor / low light visibility ; Touch...

Occasional underexposure and highlight clipping ; Redeye somewhat of a problem; no removal tool in playback mode ; Some artifacting at 1080/60i movie resolution ; Buffer fills too quickly in continuous shooting mode ; 14 - 140 mm kit lens produces soft...

In conclusion, the Lumix DMC-GH2 is a most impressive hybrid camera. Beginners looking for a camera that can take stills or movies with point-and-shoot ease will find that the GH2 can do that without hesitation. If you're an enthusiast who wants...

Sep, 2012

Read the full review

Expert review by: Faisal Khatib (tbreak.com)

Panasonic Lumix GH2 Review

Not all it's cracked up to be.

Articulated screen, Four aspect ratios, Advanced HD mode with manual controls, Buttons customization

High noise in low light, Insufficient grip with large lenses, Small buffer for burst mode, Poor image quality straight out of the camera

The DMW-BLC12 battery takes over 2 hours to charge but lasts for about 150 shots under normal LCD and OIS usage, which was disappointing. The manufacturer claims a 320 shots battery life which is either too ambitious or maybe I was doing something...

Jul, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by: Clayton Vallabhan (itp.net)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Thanks to its mirror-less design and smaller image sensor, the DMC-GH2 boasts a considerably smaller body when compared to fully-fledged SLRs

The DMC-GH2 is one of the best micro four third cameras we’ve tested, it’s a great performer in terms of both still images and video capture.

Jun, 2011

Read the full review

Expert review by: (consumersearch.com)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

For photo and video enthusiasts who want the flexibility and performance of a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera without the heft, experts say the compact Panasonic Lumix GH2 is a viable choice. At 13.8 ounces without a lens, it's...

Excellent HD video quality, fast autofocus for photo and video, shoots in RAW+JPEG format, articulating 3-inch LCD, hDMI output

Price, only uses an electronic viewfinder, image noise at high ISO levels

May, 2011