150$ Video Camera - Panasonic GH2 Review for Video (vs. GH5)

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This is a Review of the Panasonic DC-GH2 mirrorless Micro-Four-Thirds Camera. It was released in 2010, so this camera is now a decade old. How does it hold up? I tested this old fella against the flagship MFT-Camera Panasonic DC-GH5.
I take a look at Image Quality, Handling and Features. This deep dive review shows video footage I shot with my Metabones XL Speedbooster and Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 and Sigma 24-104 f4.

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:13 Background
01:05 Test Film
02:14 Dynamic Range & Image
02:48 Features
04:00 Hack
04:26 Handling
05:55 Stabilization
06:52 Autofocus
07:09 Recording
08:06 GH2 vs GH5
10:46 Conclusion
11:30 GH3?
11:53 Pros
12:22 Outro

[guitar_md]

Been loving my GH2, which I bought from a friend a couple years ago. I hacked it with the EOSHD "vanilla" mod, to 44 mb/s. A modest but significant upgrade to the bitrate. I also suggest EOSHD's guide for using the GH2. Has a lot of helpful tips for setting up the camera, such as turning constant preview on so you can get a much more accurate representation on the viewfinder of what you're shooting, among many other things, such as lowering the saturation, sharpness and contrast to provide more leeway in post-processing.

All I do lately is workbench videography for my guitar videos, and some occasional recordings of myself playing guitar. I'd love to upgrade at some point, but for now, while I'm still building a reputation and working on my videography skills, the GH2 is more than adequate. Truly an awesome little camera!

Saving so much money on the camera body has also allowed me to invest a lot more in quality lenses, primarily legacy prime lenses. Especially for workbench videography where you use the camera statically, and rarely if ever use panning, exclusively using manual focus isn't only a non-issue but a true joy.

I do actually like the stock 14-42 Lumix zoom lens, and the 25mm f1.7 prime Lumix lens. Those are the only two electronic lenses I own, but especially for recording myself when playing guitar, auto focus (along with a remote control for auto focus) is a godsend. And I have to say, even the "cheap" plastic Lumix f1.7 25mm lens is extremely impressive.

I'm a bit late to the game starting out with a GH2, but it's such a good camera (especially hacked) that I don't feel I'm missing out on much. I'll enjoy lusting over the soon-to-arrive GH6 but I'll most likely buy one of those on eBay in 10 years :D Exciting stuff!

[taomenshuifilmstudio]

I own two of the GH2, the Cinema quality image is unmatched, even with the GH3, 4 & 5 Cameras, Panasonic changed the settings and none of them can compare with the Film look that the GH2 gives, Yes!!!, the other cameras have IBIS, and other features, but the most important feature for me, is the final for sharing your GH2 experience with

[WritewheelUK]

10 years ago, I was beginning to feel my age. Full frame cameras and lenses were too heavy for a day's shooting. I bought a second hand GH2 from a camera shop with the promise that if I returned it after a month and bought a new camera, they would repay the price. I was sold within a couple of weeks. I bought a Panasonic G7 but kept the GH2 as a back up. The G7 went in p/ex for a G9. I still use the GH2, mainly for B-roll. I can't fault it for the price. I can carry two bodies and a selection of lenses despite my age. Thank goodness for micro four-thirds.

[colinire]

Bought the camera when it first came out and had loads of fun with it. Thanks for the video which I really enjoyed.Your english is super by the way.

[BRNDX-nd]

astonishing lo-fi look on the nature walk. this camera has it's spot in Camera Valhala

[evolor]

Got this 9 years ago, it was the sharpest 1080p video camera around, everything else around the same price point is like a blurry up-scaled 720p mess, used it to record the birth of my then little niece, worth every cent I say. Then came the hack, it was like a new camera again, a joy to tinker around with (though had it crashed a lot), and remember this is like a bee's knee of 1080p camera 10 years ago.

[cThreep]

Your English is just great. Well done.

[Thoracius]

I used this camera extensively with the hack. I really liked the image and I miss it often. It for instance captured nice colors when re-filming off of a CRT, which none of my other cameras since do. Also took grades very nicely. I'm surprised prices are still so high on this camera on ebay. I can't imagine anybody is shelling out $400 these days for one of these. The major drawbacks are the bitrate -- even with the hack if there's a lot of random motion it falls apart -- and also the lack of in-body image stabilization.

[SaffaTV]

I have GH2 in my closet. This video make me to use it back! Thank you for remind me...

[FilmSpook]

Thanks Joe! I own a GH4, but I JUST put in my order for a GH2 from MPB! I much appreciate you, brother. Best Wishes 😎

[PeterMoilcu]

@JoeForVideo : what's the title of the music in the Test Film part ?? 01:05​ Test Film

[tomavo]

Great Video, I love the GH2 with the hack it still can hold itself against newer camera's!!

[LeoNelBuilds]

Very nice. All of my channel videos have been shot 100% on my GH2 👍🏼

[alexhall]

Great video. I am a big lumix fan. I picked the gh2 up for $150 Australian .. can’t wait to have a play

[greedoyt]

Holy sh*t that is amazing for 150, i've been looking for something like this after mine broke, this is definitely a go to from now on!

[ariruishalme]

The thing is that gh2 looks more cinema 🎥 style.. it's like older movies dream picture. I will buy one some day with 3 batteries.

[osczzzptzzz]

Hello, i love your video! I have a question: I'm not an expert, but I wanted to buy this camera. Do I need extra lenses to make these cool cinematic low aperture settings, or is that what I need already included? Thanks :)

[sarojmathapati]

Really informative ..please keep it up..!

[Dudendop]

Great video! Awesome pictures. I also got this, quite recently, just happened to find a very fine used one. The hackability was a big thing, that sadly ended with this model.

[zatoichiable]

what lens are you using in the headshot video?