Hence my “it’s to soon to denounce Panny” and I’m sure they will support 24p too, but there have been quite a few surprises and “what the hell” moments with camera releases and video. Like the Canon 5D recording sound at 44.1KHz instead of 48KHz, GH1 with low bitrate codec and basic profile with no B-frame support, EP-2 that can either use an EVF or mic, but not both (I can forgive that it doesn’t support 24p, prosumer videography was never it primary intended market, mostly home movie types). So far, the clear best choice for video at a good price point is the Canon 7D. The clear winner at a premium pricepoint for crossover cameras is the Canon 1DMkIV… and I have no love for Canon nor do I wish to invest in Canon glass. I really really want a m43 product, as it fits what I need at a price and form factor that the others can’t, but neither Panny nor Olympus have delivered even a single product that really competently handles the basics. Closest we have is the GH1, but its not good enough.

I am looking forward to the GH2, and I hope it looses the DSLR styling and adopts a more rangefinder-like profile too. I could care less about built in flash, could even do without a built in LCD, but that is probably an extreme design feature. For those of you who are still photographers and could care less about video, let me just say, we’re not competing against each other. Video features are not exclusive of still features. Anything that we want does not take away at all from the functionality as a still camera. What it will accomplish, if it (GH2) is successful both as a motion and still camera is that it can leverage the buying power of two independent markets and capitalize on the volume price savings and future product maturity that m43 rightfully deserves. I really believe that the size of the sensor is ideal for cinematography in situations where your not going to be shooting RED, for example, and that with some more advances, there will no longer be any full frame envy for stills either.