• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Panasonic GH1 advantages over Sony NEX-VG10

  • Less expensive
    $1500 vs $2000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    45 mm vs 294 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Sony NEX-VG10 advantages over Panasonic GH1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.98 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.2 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    7.0 fps vs 2.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic G2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Sony NEX-VG10
Panasonic G2
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Panasonic GH2

Panasonic GH1
Panasonic GH2
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • Thinner
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels
Sony NEX-VG10
Panasonic GH2
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M5
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony NEX-VG10
Olympus E-M5
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive

Compared to Samsung NX1

Panasonic GH1
Samsung NX1
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Sony NEX-VG10
Samsung NX1
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $1797
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH1
Olympus E-M1X
  • $1315
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $2240
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Sony NEX-VG10
Olympus E-M1X
  • $2000
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $2240
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
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