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Review Summary
2013-10-07T21:00:00
Now discontinued, but still available with a bit of looking, the G3 is a fine picture taker with a decent if not stellar EVF and is available for dirt cheap. I bought this one as a second body. Small, low cost, low profile... What's not to like?
Mendo S.
2012-12-30T19:00:00
I cannot find anything I would change on this model!
CHRISTOPHER F.
2012-07-15T21:00:00
This camera is my first foray into the mirrorless world. My DSLR is a Pentax K-5 that, while relatively small, can still be quite a handful. I wanted a smaller camera at a reasonable price with a reasonable selection of good lenses and a view finder. This led me first to the micro 4/3 cameras and then to the Panasonic G3 and GH2. Since I don't care about video, the G3 seemed the right camera at the right price. So far I haven't been disappointed.
blue f.
2012-06-29T21:00:00
The touch screen is intuitive--don't let this put you off. The size and weight advantages over a DSLR are huge and airlines are ready to rip you off if you have a large camera bag and a carry-on. The ability to shoot movies with the built-in viewfinder gives the G3 a major advantage over most DSLRs and the mirror system. The Panny lenses have a nice quality feel and seem better than consumer grade Nikon-Canon glass. After years of bulky and heavy Canon and Nikon digital SLRs, I am glad I made the switch--its the size and weight that was the deal maker. My only gripe is the poor battery life--buy a generic for under $20, they are just as good as the overpriced branded unit. I live in the UK and regularly buy from Adorama--5 Star store. I rated the G3 5 stars, not because it is near-perfect but because it is a great all-rounder and for the money just cannot be beaten. I am now a converted touch-screen fan.
Panasonicus
2012-02-05T19:00:00
This is my wife's camera and our second micro-four thirds camera. My other camera is a GH2. I decided to get this for my wife so I could leverage my investment in lenses. We mostly use the 20mm F/1.7 pancake lens on the G3. It's a great camera to take along on family day trips. Light-weight, portable, versatile little camera. I've used this camera with a four-thirds adapter and an Olympus 50mm f/2.0 macro. Great combination for portraits although manual focus works better for the Olympus four-thirds lens. I've used this camera with a PocketWizard to activate off camera flash. I prefer the look of the photos taken at 800 ISO and below but with a little help from Adobe Lightroom, higher ISOa are possible up to 1600. I could be mistaken but I actually think that using 1600 ISO on the G3 gives slightly better results than 1600 ISO on the GH2. I like having the built in viewfinder and the articulated screen. It's a great camera for a great price. Wish it had a little more direct control via dials and buttons to access some settings, but the Quick Menu works well and some of the buttons can be configured.
PAUL C.
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SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card
17.3 x 13.0 mm (in 4:3 aspect ratio)
Micro Four Thirds mount
Live MOS Sensor
16.68 Megapixels
16.0 Megapixels
Primary color filter
Supersonic wave filter
Still Image: JPEG(DCF, Exif 2.3), RAW, DPOF compatible MPO (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds standard)
Motion Image: AVCHD / QuickTime Motion JPEG
4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
RAW, RAW+Fine, RAW+Standard, Fine, Standard, MPO+Fine, MPO+Standard (with 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds System standard)
sRGB, Adobe RGB
[4:3] 4592x3448(L)[16M]/3232x2424(M) [8M] / 2272x1704(S) [4M]/1824x1368(When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard), [3:2] 4576x3056(L) [14M] / 3232x2160(M)[7M]/2272x1520(S)[3.5M]/1824x1216(When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard), [16:9] 4576x2576(L) [11.5M] / 3232x1824(M) [6M] / 1920x1080(S) [2M]/1824x1024(When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard), [1:1] 3424 x 3424 (L) [11.5M] / 2416 x 2416 (M) [6M]/1712 x 1712 (S)[3M]/1712x1712
Motion JPEG: [4:3] QVGA: 320 x 240, 30fps / VGA: 640 x 480, 30fps, [16:9] HD: 1280 x 720, 30fps
AVCHD: NTSC: [Full HD] 1920x1080, 60i (sensor output is 30p) (FSH:17Mbps), [HD] 1280 x 720, 60p (sensor output is 30p)(SH:17Mbps)
AVCHD with picture quality set to [FSH]: Approx. 110 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 100 min with H-FS045200
Motion Jpeg with picture quality set to [HD]: Approx. 120 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 110 min with H-FS045200(Motion images)
AVCHD with picture quality set to [FSH]: Approx. 55 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 50 min with H-FS045200
Motion Jpeg with picture quality set to [HD]: Approx. 60 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 55 min with H-FS045200
Live View Finder (1,440,000 dots equivalent)
Approx. 100%
Approx. 1.4x / 0.7x (35mm camera equivalent) with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1
Approx.17.5mm from eyepiece lens
-4.0-+4.0(dpt)
Contrast AF system
AFS/ AFC/ MF
Face detection / AF Tracking / 23-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing / Pinpoint Touch (1- area-focusing in Face detection / AF Tracking / Multi-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing / Pinpoint)
EV 0-18 (ISO100 equivalent)
YES
Set the Fn button in custom menu to AF/AE lock
Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion image recording), AF+MF, Touch shutter, Touch MF Assist,
144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
Intelligent Multiple / Center Weighted / Spot
EV 0-18 (F2.0 lens, ISO100 equivalent)
Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
Auto / Intelligent ISO / 160 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 (Changeable to 1/3 EV step) (Standard Output Sensitivity)
1/3EV Step +/-5EV
Set the Fn button in custom menu to AF/AE lock
3,5,7 frame, in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV Step, +/-3 EV
Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Incandescent / Flash / White Set 1, 2 / Color temperature setting (Touch operation is possible)
Blue/amber bias, Magenta/green bias
2500-10000K in 100K
3 exposures in blue/amber axis or in magenta/green axis
Focal-plane shutter
Still Images: 1/4000 - 60 and Bulb (up to approx. 120 seconds)
Motion image: 1/16000 - 1/30 (NTSC), 1/16000 - 1/25 (PAL)
10sec, 3 images/10sec, 2sec
Remote control with bulb function by DMW-RSL1 (Optional)
Portrait / Soft Skin / Scenery / Architecture / Sports / Peripheral Defocus / Flower / Food / Objects / /Night Portrait / Night Scenery / Illiminatioms / Baby 1, 2 / Pet / Party / Sunset
Portrait / Soft Skin / Scenery / Architecture / Sports / Flower / Food / Objects / Low-light / Party / Sunset (Activated by selecting Still Image SCN mode then pressing Movie Button. Still Image SCN modes without corresponding Movie SCN mode is recorded in mode suitable for the recording situation.)
(Still image & Motion image) Expressive / Retro / High key / Sepia / High Dynamic
SH: 20 frames/sec(4M), H: 4 frames/sec, M: 3 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View)
7 images (when there are RAW files with the particular speed)
Unlimited consecutive shooting (when there are no RAW files) (depending on memory card size, battery power, picture size, and compression)
TTL Built-in-Flash, GN10.5 equivalent (ISO 160 m), Built-in Pop-up
Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Less than 1/160 second
1/3EV Step +/-2EV
1st. Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync.
TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500(Optional)
TFT LCD with Touch panel
Free-angle 7.5cm (3.0inch) / 3:2 Aspect / Wide viewing angle
460K dots
Approx. 100%
Brightness (7 levels), Contrast and Saturation (7 levels), Red tint (7 levels), Blue tint (7 levels)
2x, 4x
Still image: Max.2x (Not effective with L size recording. Magnification ratio depends on the recording pixels and aspect ratio.)
Motion image: Max.4.8x (Magnification ratio depends on the recording quality and aspect ratio.)
Guide Lines (3 patterns)
Real-time Histogram
Standard / Vivid / Natural / Monochrome / Scenery / Portrait / Custom
Normal playback, 30-thumbnail display, 12-thumbnail display, Calendar display, Zoomed playback (16x Max.), Slideshow (duration & effect is selectable), Playback Mode (Normal/Picture/AVCHD/Motion JPEG/3D/Category/Favorite), Title Edit, Text Stamp, Video Divide, Resize, Cropping, Aspect Conversion, Rotate, Rotate Display, Favorite, Print Set, Protect, Face Rec Edit
Single / Multi, Single in Burst Group / Multi in Burst Group, Cancel
Single / Multi / All / Except Favorite
PictBridge compatible(Print size, Layout, Date setting are selectable )
USB 2.0 High Speed
miniHDMI TypeC / VIErA Link
Video: Auto / 1080i / 720p / 480p (576p in PAL system)
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
Monaural Type, NTSC / PAL, NTSC only for North America
2.5mm. mini jack
Stereo, Wind-cut: Off / Low / Standard / High, Mic level adjustable (4 levels)
Monaural
English, Spanish, Portuguese,
ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1010mAh) (Included)
Battery Charger
Approx. 270 images (When using the LCD / LVF) with H-FS014042
Approx. 250 images (When using the LCD / LVF) with H-FS045200
0deg.C to 40deg.C (32deg. F to 104deg. F)
10% to 80%
PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition
SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE
Super LoiLoScope (trial version)
USB Driver
115.2 x 83.6 x 46.7mm / 4.54 x 3.29 x 1.84 in (excluding protrusions)
11.84 oz
Crisp, clear optics!!
By CHRISTOPHER F.
I cannot find anything I would change on this model!
Why buy a 4/3rds without viewfinder?
By Panasonicus
The touch screen is intuitive--don't let this put you off. The size and weight advantages over a DSLR are huge and airlines are ready to rip you off if you have a large camera bag and a carry-on. The ability to shoot movies with the built-in viewfinder gives the G3 a major advantage over most DSLRs and the mirror system. The Panny lenses have a nice quality feel and seem better than consumer grade Nikon-Canon glass. After years of bulky and heavy Canon and Nikon digital SLRs, I am glad I m...
View full Review
Panasonics LUMIX DMC-G3 offers the benefits of a DSLR interchangeable lens system camera with a point-and-shoot camera's compactness, light weight and simplicity. This reduction in size and weight is thanks to advancements in mirror-free viewfinder technology, and large DSLR format sensors that are more compatible with a new class of compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System lenses. This new class of Compact System Cameras (CSC) offers a weight and compactness not seen in traditional DSLRs, for greater portability and creative control. The DMC-G3 image resolution has been upgraded to 16.0 Megapixels from it predecessorthe DMC-G2.
Mode Dial and Hotshoe
The DMC-G3 provides a traditional DSLR-like experience with an external Mode dial for quick access to common modes like Program, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Manual. Additional dial settings include two Custom Modes, Scene Modes and the new Creative Control Mode. The DMC-G3 provides a dedicated video button that can be used to switch to video capture quickly without changing modes. Likemost DSLRs, the DMC-G3 provides a built-in flash and hotshoe for connecting optional LUMIX flashes.
Available Scene Modes: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illuminations, Baby, Pet, Party and Sunset, which can all be controlled from the intuitive touch-enabled LCD.
Lens Options and 3D Capture
LUMIX G Series Compact System Cameras utilize the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System mount. MFT offers greater size and weight reduction in the lens without compromising lens performance and clarity. The LUMIX G MFT System offers a selection of 11 high performance fixed focal length and variable aperture G Vario zooms, including a highly versatile 3D lens capable of capturing both 2D and 3D images at the same time. There are lens adaptors available for mounting older Leica M and Leica R lenses, including older LUMIX full Four Thirds lenses. An innovative 14-140mm HD G Vario lens provides the best of video and still-image shooting with a long 10x range and near silent high-speed focusing. When connected to the DMC-G3, ultra fast focusing and auto subject track AF can be achieved.
Many Lumix MFT lenses come with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilization) built-in. This feature helps prevent blurring from hand-shake. Working together with the cameras intelligent ISO Control, which reduces motions blur by adjusting the ISO sensitivity if the subject moves, you're sure to capture images that are sharp.
Dust Reduction System
As with many interchangeable lens cameras, dust on the sensor reduces image clarity. To eliminate this potential, The DMC-G3 uses a Dust Reduction System that uses a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 time per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.
Touch-Enabled LCD Screen
At the heart of the DMC-G3's improved functionality is a movable 3.0-inch LCD (460k- dot) that allows for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback and effects controls. Menus can be customized using simple drag-and-drop actions like those on most touch-enabled cell phones. This allows for a custom user interface, giving Quick Menu access to functions that can be tailored to any user's expertise level. Even the shutter can be triggered from the touch-enabled LCD by simply touching the subject you want focused and captured. Using the touch-screen operation, a user can lock onto a subject, enabling AF Tracking in both still and video modes. When you're ready to shoot, the subject will be in focus and ready to capture.
Live Viewfinder
For many, a traditional eyelevel viewfinder is still a must have. The DMC-G3 meets this demand with an eye-level electronic viewfinder that projects a high resolution 1.44m-dot image with 100% field of view (800x600, 0.7x magnification). Color breakup has been improved vs. the DMC-G2, resulting in smooth image viewing while panning.
HD Video Capture
The LUMIX DMC-G3 also shoots 1080/60i High Definition video using the AVCHD format (sensor output 30p). It offers a built-in stereo microphone and is available with Dolby Digital Stereo Creator. Advanced video sound controls include a wind-cut function that further enhances the sound as it helps reduce noise caused by background wind, and an L/R audio meter display for controlling audio levels. Captured video can be played back in High Definition via an optional HDMI mini cable directly to an HD-compatible TV, or easily played directly on Panasonic VIERA TV via the SD card. New near silent focusing features offered in several Lumix Micro Four Thirds lenses helps keep lens noise at bay while the touch-enabled LCD allows you to automatically keep active subjects in focus with touch-enabled subject AF Tracking.
Faster, Accurate Pinpoint Focusing
Contrast Detection Auto Focus technology used in point-and-shoot and new mirrorless Compact System Cameras now approaches the speedsthat were once only available from traditional professional-level DSLRs. The DMC-G3 now offers Light Speed Auto Focus (14-140mm ~0.1sec. 14-42mm ~0.18 sec., 45-200mm ~0.15 sec.). LUMIX Light Speed AF locks onto a subject quickly so you won't suffer from "shutter lag" frustration. Contrast Auto Focusing also offers greater shot accuracy due to fewer hardware components needed vs traditional DSLR phase difference systems, thus fewer pictures will suffer from system focusing errors. (e.g. the accuracy of Contrast AF is approx. 90% while Phase Difference AF is approx. 60% at F1.4).