Image courtesy: Quesabesde
Focus Numerique interviewed the big boss from Panasonic Uematsu Michiharu. I exctracted some interesting notes for you (google english translated text!):
– “With our new sensor, and a new processor that analyzes 120 images per second instead of 60, we managed to make the autofocus GH2 two times faster than the previous model.”
– “I still think that 12 MP are quite sufficient for our photographic use. In the case of GH2, it is primarily a marketing decision, not a technical choice. We must follow the market trends that impose even now augment the definition of our sensors.”
– Panasonic is working on a new electronic shutter but their priority now was to work on the 3D technology.
– 3D will work with the [shoplink 16254]GH2[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 14834]G2[/shoplink] only (other cameras are not powerful enough).
22 Responses
What a surprice, the megapixel race is still around. Anyway, how is reviewing the 3D images on the regular LCD screen on GH2? Is it able to tell whether it is good or not in term of 3D effects?
““I still think that 12 MP are quite sufficient for our photographic use. In the case of GH2, it is primarily a marketing decision, not a technical choice. We must follow the market trends”
—
Interesting, and sad, words from a “big boss”
I really like what Panasonic does for the most part (better lenses than Olympus so far, which is hard to believe), but 3D and 18mp on a 4/3’s sensor are two things the remind me real quick that they are an electronics giant and not a photography company. I’m guessing they’re feeling pressure to try and sell their 3D TV’s that no one seems to want.
If they can bump the megapixels up without seriously effecting ISO performance then fine, but if they’re bumping it up and hurting ISO in the process then its a very poor move. People shopping for cameras in the price range of the GH2 understand that more megapixels doesn’t = better images.
I really hope Olympus finds another sensor provider if Panasonic is going to base development on marketing decisions. I’d much rather them stay at 12mp until they have very clean ISO3200. After they achieve that then start working on bumping the resolution up.
Nothing wrong with marketing decisions, after all they need to sell the cameras.
Could anybody proficient in Chinese please translate the page at:
http://unwire.hk/2010/09/24/panasonic-gh2-test/
Thank you!
If you view the GH2 as 18MP, then you should also view the GH1 as 14MP (instead of 12). Both have oversized sensors and only use part of the sensor (depending on the aspect ratio). I see a lot of people complaining about Panasonic going from 12MP to 18MP, which is misleading. That compares a cropped portion of the sensor from the GH1 to the uncropped sensor from the GH2.
Concise, david, LOL.
nothing in depth,
good hi iso, fast focusing speed etc.
it doesn’t tell you more then what we have learnt here.
I’d like to know EXACTLY what they mean when they say:
“3D will work with the GH2 and the G2 only (other cameras are not powerful enough)”
Are they saying that the new 3D lens will fit to and capture an image on any micro 4/3 camera, but will only work properly with the GH2 and G2? i.e. Are they saying that the internal processing of a combined 3D image will only work on the GH2 and G2?
Or are they saying that the 3D lens will fit to any micro 4/3 camera, but will not capture ANY image?
The exact translation from French is:
“3D function will only be available on GH2 and GE2. All the other models, in particular GF1, do not have enough on-board memory to use 3D algorithms.”
The whole 3D thing is a dead end. Even three years from now 3D will be far from being mainstream. Instead of adding features that almost nobody wants they’re wasting valuable time, giving Sony and the others more than enough time to catch up. As soon as Nikon and Canon have established themselves in that segment (mirrorless cameras), MFT is as good as dead.
Instead of adding those 3D toys nobody wants and nobody is going to buy, they should have worked on creating better and more primes and a pro-grade MFT body (robust and sealed).
It’ll be more interesting to see what’s going to happen in Q1 2011 than what they’ve disclosed for Photokina. Right now, I’m more inclined to take a closer look at Fuji’s X100 next year and stick with my FT equipment just a while longer before making the switch to full frame gear at Canon eventually.
3D to photography now is what video was a year ago: few really need it, few use it, but all cameras got to have it.
I second that… but I think it is a good thing to attract all sorts of users to a “new” system.
I and many always used video since we had it on cams, (and actually video on mobile phones too since 2003) and had been waiting for a proper vdlsr. 3D implies buying a new tv from the same brand as your camera (which might not appeal to you) and wear uncomfortable glasses to watch, which is fine at the cinema but not for everyday use at home. Yes they should have focused on better cameras, ergonomics, sensors, lenses etc instead of 3D. G2 with 2 yr old sensor?! Why not the GH1 sensor in it? Guess the Gh1 sensor which will be 2 yrs old next year will go into the gf2 and the new gf with viewfinder … if so, that’s sad again.
Panasonic’s emphasis on 3D has nothing to do with photography, or camera’s, its direct influence is selling more 3D TV’s, after all its a TV giant much more then a camera one, and for me i cant think of any other TV set except Panasonic’s plasma (or pioneer which is bought by pana)
Hmmm,…. maybe Panasonic wild shift out G1 sensor so the use in all low level m43 camera in day, by GH2 sensor next years.
3D is a foolish distraction
Electronic shutter will be a critical development allowing variable exposure in one shot as well as other benefits.
If you want to establish your camera company, which would you choose?
I would choose better IQ. :-p
eagerly awaiting for Pany to release the rumored Leica glass rangefinder-like m/43… just a rumor but one can hope right?
I hope Pany focus more in giving more photographic options on their cameras. like if they’ll give more control on the JPG processing like Olympus cameras. really love their body’s specs but the tone curves are a bit off for my taste
Don’t like that 3D hype and can’t stand watching 3D movies – somehow it feels unnatural. But hey, they need to “innovate”, don’t they?
I would rather see Panasonic put their effort into OLED monitors so I can actually see the full digital pictures and video I shoot. The improvement in picture quality from LCD to OLED is far greater than that of these minor adjustments to the cameras.