Can't decide, GH1 or T2i (Updated)?

anthonyw

Junior Member
May 23, 2010
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I'm not sure which camera I should get. I'm considering either a Nikon D5000 or Panasonic GF1.

Right now I'm leaning towards the D5000 + 55-200mm lens. I guess if I went with the GF1 I'd go for the 20mm lens.

I'd like to get the camera that is all around highest quality / best for both photos and video in settings ranging from outside on a sunny day to a dark night club. I'm mainly into audio production, but will soon be getting into photo + video.

I've never really been the type to be interested in 'features' per say, just overall, consistent output quality and I've seen exceptional quality from both:

GF1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwLLEr44zJY
D5000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_jAtBIfmMM


From what I can gather overall:

GF1
-Smaller / more portable - Plus
-Records 24fps video - Plus
-Focusing slower? - Minus
-No built-in stabilization? - Minus
-A little more expensive - Minus

D5000
-Adjustable view for tight shooting angles - Plus
-Records 24fps video - Plus
-Can get for a bit cheaper - Plus
-5 Minute limit for 720p video clips? - Minus
-Not a huge camera, but still a lot bigger than the GF1 - Minus
 
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jpeyton

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Budget?

Is this more for stills or more for video?
 

anthonyw

Junior Member
May 23, 2010
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Hi, my budget is $800 max and will most likely purchase new or mint condition from Ebay. I plan on doing about 60% stills and 40% video.
 

jpeyton

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If you're doing that much video, you want to pick up a Canon T2i.

I shoot Nikon myself, but I'm 100% stills. On the video side, Nikon doesn't really have anything that appealing right now. The D5000 is a great still camera and a good video camera, but the Canon T2i is just as good at stills and offers better video.
 

randomlinh

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Oct 9, 1999
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The GF1+20 sample vid seems amazingly steady... and if you want to record audio too, the GF1 has no input, in case you had that in mind for the future.

But does it do 24fps? I thought it was all 30fps. Also, there are 0 manual controls for doing video on the GF1. I do not know if the D5000 has them, but it's a make it/break it feature if I were going to seriously play with video. Also, you can't beat a bigger sensor for low light, unfortunately. But I still love my GF1+20 for size and less conspicuous looking.

If you were doing micro43, I'd go with the G2 for video, GH1 if you need 1080p. The 14-45 focuses pretty damn quick and silent. It's "slower" but not like P&S slow. The 20mm is slower than the 14-45 unfortunately, and buzzy enough to get caught in the audio if it's a concern.

Not sure how the D5000 fairs, but I'd almost lean toward that so you can save some money. Plus, a flip out LCD is useful for video (tho, I do not like nikon's implementation). I really like panasonic's system, and would not recommend the GF1 for serious video work, but the G2 instead. However, it's not cheap.
 

anthonyw

Junior Member
May 23, 2010
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Thanks for the reply's!

jpeyton, the T2i does look really good, what lens would you recommend to go along with it? Standard kit 18-55mm?
 
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jpeyton

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The T2i standard kit lens is great for general photography; it's really sharp and has image stabilization.

I'd also pick up the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 for shallow depth-of-field still and video shots.
 

Gooberlx2

Lifer
May 4, 2001
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If video is really going to be your thing, be sure which ever body you choose has the ability to use an external mic. I was going to suggest the Pentax k-x due to price, size, and quality. But it can't use an external mic for audio input.
 

anthonyw

Junior Member
May 23, 2010
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Well now I'm basically trying to decide between a T2i and GH1 with 50mm 1.8 lens. If I went with the GH1 / adapter does it matter if I go with a Canon EF or Nikkor lens?

I'm kind of leaning towards the GH1 now since the package would be cheaper, roughly same quality and it has an adjustable LCD.
 
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anthonyw

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May 23, 2010
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It's also pretty hard to find the T2i at a good price though from a dealer that doesn't look shady. A lot of places are sold out.
 

jpeyton

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If you go GH1 with an adapter, go with a Nikon lens. Canon's EF lenses don't have an aperture ring; most Nikon lenses do (except "G" lenses).
 

AkumaX

Lifer
Apr 20, 2000
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IS helps a lot with video, that being said - you'll need a steady hand with the 50mm f/1.8 :)
 

jpeyton

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Do you recommend any particular lens, $1-150/200ish?
If you get the T2i, the $100 Canon 50mm f/1.8 would be a good start. The 55-250mm IS is $225, and would be a good inexpensive telephoto lens.

If you get the GH1, you could use any number of inexpensive older manual focus lenses with an adapter. Nikon has a lot of 50/1.8 lenses; the Series E version runs about $50, the Nikkor is $80. A new AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 D goes for $125. But for $150, you could also find a good AI-S manual focus Nikkor 50/1.4. Last week I picked up an AF Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 lens for $120, which would be a nice wider option for video (although the 24/2.8 or 20/2.8 are even better, but a little more money).

Have you checked out Craigslist in your area? Lots of people sell their old Nikon lenses on there for cheap.
 

davestar

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Oct 21, 2001
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Well now I'm basically trying to decide between a T2i and GH1 with 50mm 1.8 lens. If I went with the GH1 / adapter does it matter if I go with a Canon EF or Nikkor lens?

I'm kind of leaning towards the GH1 now since the package would be cheaper, roughly same quality and it has an adjustable LCD.

you're aware that a 4/3's sensor has a x2 crop factor, right? so that 50mm lens has a 35mm equivalent focal length of 100mm.
 
Feb 19, 2001
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Do you recommend any particular lens, $1-150/200ish?

On top of the kit lens right? You HAVE to get the kit lens because IMO it's totally worth it. You might like the 50/1.8 as some recommend, but 50mm on a crop is not for everyone (80mm FF equivalent). I didn't like my 50 at first and I never used it. I used my 28mm more. Then I started learning to like tighter crops and stuff. I think my next lens will be a new 50mm (I broke my 50/1.8)
 

anthonyw

Junior Member
May 23, 2010
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Alright well I think I've decided to get the GH1 and 20mm pancake lens. Thanks to everyone for your help!