/// Video-DSLR Comparison

Image ?

Manufacturer

Panasonic

Canon

Sony

Manufacturer

Name

GH2

EOS 5D Mark III

SLT Alpha 77

Name

Type

System camera

HDSLR

Type

European Name

Lumix GH2

5D MkIII

SLT-A77VK

European Name

U.S. Name

Lumix DMC-GH2

EOS 5D Mark III

SLT-A77

U.S. Name

Manufacturer URL

Link to Panasonic

Link to Canon

Link to Sony

Manufacturer URL

Tested firmware version

1.0

1.0.7

Tested firmware version

Launch

September 2010

April 2012

November 2011

Launch

Test overview

slashCAM rating

Manual focus characteristics ?

Very good

Good

Very good

Manual focus characteristics ?

Autofocus ?

Very good

Satisfactory

Very good

Autofocus ?

subj.image impression / quality of the codec ?

Very good

Good

subj.image impression / quality of the codec ?

external video signal ?

Very good

Satisfactory

external video signal ?

manual exposure functions ?

Very good

manual exposure functions ?

internal microphone / leveling behavior ?

Very good

Satisfactory

internal microphone / leveling behavior ?

Ergonomics ?

Good

Very good

Ergonomics ?

Optics repertoire camera manufacturer ?

Satisfactory

Very good

Satisfactory

Optics repertoire camera manufacturer ?

Optics repertoire other manufacturers ?

Good

Very good

Satisfactory

Optics repertoire other manufacturers ?

Photo feature ?

Good

Very good

Photo feature ?

Portability ?

Very good

Satisfactory

Portability ?

Video formats ?

Good

Very good

Video formats ?

Configurability ?

Very good

Good

Configurability ?

Total
(maximal 600)

468

428

426

Total
(maximal 600)

slashCAM rating

Very good

slashCAM rating

Rating

Plus

+ Efficient video codec
+ Very good autofocus in video mode
+ Turnable screen
+ Smart Touchscreen Features
+ Surprisingly good onboard stereo microphone
+ Many features on external switches

+ Very good Lowlighteigenschaften
+ Comprehensive audio capabilities
ALL-I + (I-frame only codec)
+ Kopfhoerereingang
+ Timcodefunktionen

+ Excellent phase autofocus
+ 1080 50p
+ Very good EVF and LCD

Plus

Minus

- No headphone jack
- Audio adjustment could offer more levels
- (Like on all other video DSLRs, we miss an ND filter and peaking (as of 04/2011))

- No HDMI output cleaner
- No peaking
- Regular autofocus in Live View

- No 1080 24p in Europ.
Model- No 1:1 HDMI Out while recording video
- No manual level control
- No other details regarding the sensor surface of the sensor used in video mode

Minus

Conclusion

Of all currently (04/2011) available HDSLRs, the GH2 offers the best video quality and this with a sensor size that is ideal for film look effects (control over DoF). Despite its small size and light weight, it offers all important control functions on external buttons and performs impressively on an almost pro-level. Surprisingly, both ambitious indie-filmmakers working on a feature film as well as holiday-shooters who look for the optimal compromise between small size and good photo-/video-capabilities will find that the GH2 is the best tool on the market for their rather different requirements. A remarkable balancing act. From our perspective, the Panasonic GH2 easily has what it takes in terms of price / performance to be the new rebel-cam of choice for indie filmmakers. Which is why (for the time being) it is our reference in terms of video quality for HDSLRs and an straight-out buying tip. After the next update (as with all video DSLRs) we would like to see a ND filter / negative ISOs, a headphone jack, and object tracking in video mode.

Die Revolution bei der Produktentwicklung im Canon EOS VDSLR-Segment - gleichbedeutend mit dem Namen Canon EOS 5D Mark II - musste beim Nachfolger Canon EOS 5D Mark III der sanften Evolution und der Etablierung des Canon Cinema EOS Segments weichen. Thus the magic of the indie film Rebel machine is gone.It must be stressed, however, no misunderstandings:The advanced Canon EOS 5D Mark III remains loose in the top segment of the video DSLRs.Verantwortlich hierfür sind Funktionen wie: Manuelle Audiopegel während der Videoaufnahme, pegelbare Kopfhörereingänge, I-Frame only Codec, Timecode-Optionen, enorme Lowlighteigenschaften, sehr gute Nachschärfmöglichkeiten und stark reduziertes Moirée.Biggest complaint is the lack of clean HDMI output while recording video, making a jump into the video and Farbaufloesung involved had been possible.With an MSRP of ¬ 3299 is the Canon EOS 5D Mark II by 1.000, - ¬ more expensive than its predecessor the time Canon EOS 5D Mark II when it was presented.You score one of the best VDSLRs that are offered on the market today with sophisticated advanced video and audio features.

The Sony Alpha SLT 77 combines a lot of innovative technology in itself.Impressed with the video mode we have mainly the phase autofocus, excellent display of the viewfinder and 3 "LCD, and the 1080/50p option.For the fast motion video display area, such as sports and action seems the Sony Alpha 77 SLT currently the best choice to be in the video DSLR segment.Doch es gibt auch einige Sachen, die bei der Konkurrenz besser gelöst sind: Dazu zählen: 1080/24p, 1:1 HD Signal am HDMI-Out während der Videoaufnahme, mehr Kontrolle bei der manuellen Tonaussteuerung und mehr auf externe Schalter geführt Videoaufnahme-Optionen.Also would do a little more openness in relation to the actually used sensor surface during video recording no harm (seecorresponding chapter) - why so anxious?One thing is certain: The Sony SLT Alpha77 Sony has presented a stunning mirror-less system camera.For the crown of slashCAM video DSLRs it is enough but not quite.Here nachwievor the Panasonic GH2 is a measure of things.

Conclusion

Test images

tested kit lens

Lumix G Vario 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH.
OIS

Canon EF 24-70mm 1:2.8 L USM

DT 18-55 mm F3, 5 - 5.6 SAM

tested kit lens

Luminance resolution

Chrominance resolution

ISO test image small

Lens Distortion

Test image 1200 lux

Exposure values 12 Lux

f 3.5, 1 / 25, ISO 3200

f2.8 ISO 12800

f3.5, ISO 1600

Exposure values 12 Lux

Test image 12 lux manual

Test image 12 lux automatic

Video

Video file formats ?

AVCHD

QuickTime

AVCHD 2.0

Video file formats ?

Video resolution / frame rate

1080/24p
1080/50i
720/50p

1080/29,97p
1080/25p
1080/23,976p
720/59,94p
720/50p

1080/50i
1080/25p
1080/50p
1440x1080/25p

Video resolution / frame rate

Compression format

AVCHD

H.264
H.264 Intra

AVCHD

Compression format

Chromasampling

4:2:0

Chromasampling

Maximum Bitrate

24 Mbit / s

91,3 Mbit / s

28 Mbit / s

Maximum Bitrate

Recording medium

SD Card
SDHC Card
SDXC Card

SD Card
SDHC Card
SDXC Card
CompactFlash Type I / II

SD Card
SDHC Card
SDXC Card
Memory Stick PRO

Recording medium

MaxFilm length / time

29:59 Min

MaxFilm length / time

MaxFilm length / data

2 GB

4 GB

2 GB

MaxFilm length / data

Configuration

Image Sensor Size

17,3 x 13,0 mm

36 x 24 mm

23,5 x 15,6 mm

Image Sensor Size

Crop factor

2,0

no (1.0)

1,5

Crop factor

Image sensor pixels / effective

16,05 Megapixel

22,3 Megapixel

23,3 Megapixel

Image sensor pixels / effective

Image sensor type

CMOS

Image sensor type

Sensor cleaning

Yes

Sensor cleaning

Image processor

Venus Engine FHD

DIGIC 5 +

BIONZ

Image processor

Optics

Interchangeable lenses

Yes

Interchangeable lenses

Lens mount

Micro Four Thirds

Canon EF

Sony Alpha

Lens mount

Field

100%

Field

Image stabilization

in appropriate optics

in camera housing

Image stabilization

Viewfinder / Display

Viewfinder

electronical

optical

electronical

Viewfinder

Screen resolution

7.5 cm / 3 inch

8.11 cm / 3.2 inches

7.5 cm / 3 inch

Screen resolution

Display resolution

460000

1040000

921600

Display resolution

Turnable display

Yes

Turnable display

Live View

Yes

Live View

Manual control

Aperture

Yes

Aperture

Shutter

Yes

Shutter

ISO / Gain

Yes

ISO / Gain

White Balance

Yes

White Balance

Focus

Yes

Focus

Comment

Exemplary: The Panasonic GH2 offers a separate, manual 1080/24p mode.

In manual exposure mode can be activated when recording the video no AF

Comment

Modifiable image characteristics

Sharpness

Yes

Sharpness

Saturation

Yes

Saturation

Contrast

Yes

Contrast

Color

Yes

Color

Manual adjustment aids

Focus aid

Magnification
Touchscreen

Magnification

Colour Peaking

Focus aid

Autofocus

Yes

Autofocus

Comment

In the DSLR segment, the Panasonic GH2 offers (at the time of testing) the best auto-focus performance (in the video mode).Via touch screen even semi-automatic shot transitions are possible -- but they still look a little better when made manually.

Live View autofocus during movie recording is not recommended.

First video DSLR on the color switchable peaking has

Comment

Audio

internal microphone

Stereo

Mono

Stereo

internal microphone

External microphone jack ?

Stereo

External microphone jack ?

Headphone jack

Yes

Headphone jack

Audio formats ?

PCM

PCM
Dolby Digital AC-3
MPEG-4 AAC-LC

Audio formats ?

Manual levels ?

up to 12 Pos

more than 12 Pos

Wind noise reduction on / off

Manual levels ?

Connectivity

USB

USB 2.0

USB

HDMI Output

HDMI-mini

HDMI Output

Preview without menu overlay

Yes

Preview without menu overlay

Preview with reduced resolution

Yes

Preview with reduced resolution

Body dimensions

Weight exclBattery

950 g

653 g

Weight exclBattery

Width

124 mm

152 mm

142 mm

Width

Height

89 mm

116 mm

104 mm

Height

Depth

75 mm

76 mm

80 mm

Depth

relative size ?

Other

Housing material

Plastic

Magnesium alloy

Housing material

Weathersealing

low

high

Weathersealing

slashCAM Information