GF1 stolen.. Should I replace it with GH2 instead?

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vaizki

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Jukka
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So I had my month-old GF1 + 20mm stolen on my NZ trip.. :(

And now I'm wondering if I should replace it with a GH2 instead. I found that on my trip I'd keep trying to raise the camera to my eye all the time :p so I clearly would benefit from a viewfinder. Also of note is that we used a small bag (also stolen..) to keep it in, the body+20mm combo was not really pocketable unless wearing a loose jacket.

So this has me thinking, should I replace it with the GH2 instead? It doesn't seem to be that much bigger and would probably have faster AF and better stability (against my head) with non-stabilized lenses like the 20/1.7 which I see being on the camera at least 80% of the time.

Problem is I don't know of a store nearby where I could handle both. Anyone able to offer views on GH1 vs GF1 size/handling?
 
GH2 is definitely bigger, but still quite compact all told. The viewfinder on the GH2 is 'better' than the add-on for the GF1 (higher res), but is still electronic so suffers from the drawbacks that brings compared to the SLR viewfinders you'll also be used to from the other cameras in your kitbag. Having had both, I'd personally stick with the GF1 - although the GH2 appeared to have slightly better higher ISO noise handling, and I liked the articulated screen, the GF1 just felt the better camera. Working with a 20mm without stabilisation shouldn't be a problem whatsoever. Your other option is the GF2 - doesn't seem quite the update to the GF1 that would have been liked. Not out quite yet as far as I know. Alternatively, you could ditch it all and wait a couple of months for the Fujifilm X100.
 
A few stories appearing suggesting the GH2 isn't as good for photo's as it is for video. Maybe consider the G2, smaller and lighter and not much bigger than the GF1.
 
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Personally, after having owned an E-P1.....it was an easy decision to buy a G1. Only a little bigger than the GF1, and having a proper grip and viewfinder makes it so much more usable imo.
 
GH1 and GH2 are vastly improved over the G and GFs - Better ISO handling all round, better dynamic range, eye level viewfinder, Nicer to hold (IMO of course)...

The GH2 has lost a little on dynamic range vs the GH1 but has made up in other areas - the fastest Contrast AF on the market springs to mind, not to mention excellend HD video capabilities if that's your thing. I've been using the GH1 for a couple of months now, and I have yet to find a single drawback with the eye level screen - it does much more than any DSLR prism or mirror can and for me that's a bonus - you can do other useful things with it too, like see through ND filters which you simply can't on an optical finder, you can see into much lower light, albeit at much degraded image quality; You can enlarge an area for manual focus too which is useful...

Can you tell I like my GH1?
 
py6km said:
Alternatively, you could ditch it all and wait a couple of months for the Fujifilm X100.
Click to expand...

That certainly looks a lovely camera, but its a fixed lens and almost £1K
Its one to get as well as a new G2....

Allan
 
Thanks everyone for the views.. I still can't make my mind up so I'll have to hunt for a shop where I can compare..
 
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