Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Last updated
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Lumix G3 (5975681372).jpg
Panasonic DMC-G3, with 14-42mm lens
Overview
Type Micro Four Thirds System
Lens
Lens Micro Four Thirds System mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor 17.3 × 13.0 mm Live MOS
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 (16.7 megapixels, 16.0 mp effective) 4:3 native; 3:2, 16:9, 1:1 image format(cropped from 4:3 native image format)
Film speed ISO 160–6400
Storage media SD, SDHC
Focusing
Focus modes Automatic or Manual
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesManual, Program, Automatic, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority
Exposure metering Intelligent Multiple (Center weighted, average and spot)
Flash
Flash Built-in pop up, GN 10.5m (ISO 160)
Flash bracketing ±2.0 EV in ⅓ EV steps 3,5,7 frames* • 1/3 or 2/3, +/−2.0 EV steps
Shutter
Shutter focal-plane
Shutter speed range60–1/4000 sec
Viewfinder
Viewfinder EVF color display, 100% field of view, 0.7× (35mm equiv), 1.4× magnification, with 1.44M dots equivalent; LCD or articulated multi-angle 3-inch (76 mm) inch color LCD (460,000 dots equivalent)
Image processing
White balance custom modes
General
Battery Li-Ion 7.2 V, 1010 mAh
Weight body 336 g; with 14–42 mm lens, battery and card 558 g

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. [1] The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the eighth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the thirteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic, as of the G3 product announcement date.

Contents

The G3 includes full HD video recording capability in AVCHD format in accordance with the MFT system design standard. The G3 is not the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 but is sold alongside it, placing the G2 in the entry-level position that the now-discontinued G10 once occupied. The G series cameras are designed primarily for users interested in still photography, with the more expensive GH series geared towards users who are interested in greater video functionality. Significantly, the G3 design departs from previous G-series designs with a smaller size, new sensor design and increased processing power.

Physically, the G3 approximates the size of the small Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2, but includes an electronic viewfinder (EVF) and an articulated, touch control-enabled LCD panel. This made the G3, upon its introduction, the smallest available MFT camera with a built-in EVF, 25% smaller than the G2. The G3's smaller physical size limits the space available for manual control buttons and dials, with many functions now controllable through the articulated 3-inch (76 mm) LCD touch panel on the camera back.

The G3 has a 16.7 megapixel sensor derived from the one in the top-of-the-line Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. [2] This is an improvement over the previous 12.1 megapixel four thirds sensors used by other Olympus and Panasonic MFT cameras, with the exception of the unique multi-aspect sensors used on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 and GH2 hybrid video/still MFT cameras.

The G3 has faster Auto focus speed than most previous Panasonic MFT cameras. Panasonic claims that it possesses a revised JPEG engine which reputedly renders more pleasing colours (e.g., skin tones), with higher image quality and lower noise at higher ISO than any of the previous Panasonic cameras, with the possible exception of the GH2. However, some reviewers have criticised the quality of the G3s JPEG files. [3] [4]

At the center top of the G3 there are weak built-in pop up flash with GN10.5 at ISO160 (GN8.3 at ISO100), hot shoe and stereo microphone (G2 still monoaural). [5] The G3 lacks the external microphone input that the older G2 does.

The G3 was announced in May 2011, and started shipping in June 2011. Available colors, depending on market, were black, chocolate brown, red and white. In the United States, the suggested MSRP for the camera and 14-42mm kit lens was US$700.00 and GBP628.99 in the United Kingdom [6]

Micro four thirds system

The Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard was jointly announced in 2008 [7] by Olympus and Panasonic, as a further evolution of the similarly named predecessor Four Thirds System [8] pioneered by Olympus. The Micro Four Thirds system standard uses the same sized sensor as the original Four Thirds system, which is half the size of a 35mm camera sensor. One advantage of the smaller sensor is smaller and lighter lenses, but one disadvantage is lower image quality. For example, a typical Olympus MFT M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens weighs 112g, is 56mm in diameter and 50mm in length. [9] The equivalent Canon APS-C DSLR EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 kit lens weighs 190g, and is 69mm in diameter and 80mm in length [10] In 35mm camera format the Micro Four Thirds system sensor has a 2× magnification factor on its lenses whereas the APS-C sized sensor cameras have 1.6× magnification factor.

While the older Four Thirds system design standard allowed the incorporation of a single lens reflex (SLR) camera design including a mirror box and pentaprism based optical viewfinder system, the MFT system design standard sought to pursue a technically different camera, and specifically slimmed down the key physical specifications which eliminated the ability to include the traditional complex optical path and the bulky mirror box needed for a SLR optical viewfinder. Instead, MFT uses either a built-in (Panasonic) or optional (Olympus/Panasonic) compact electronic viewfinder (EVF) and/or LCD back panel displaying a Live view from the main image sensor. Use of an EVF/back panel LCD and smaller four thirds image sensor format and allows for smaller and lighter camera bodies and lenses. The MFT system offers better video recording functionality than traditional DSLRs.

MFT cameras are physically slimmer than most interchangeable lens cameras because the standard specifies a much reduced lens mount flange to imaging sensor plane distance of 20mm. Typically this so-called flange focal distance is over 40mm on most interchangeable lens cameras. The MFT system design flange focal length distance allows for, through use of an adapter, the possibility to mount virtually any manufacturer's existing and legacy still camera interchangeable lens (as well as some video and cine lenses) to an MFT body, albeit using manual focus and manual aperture control. For example, many theoretically obsolete 35mm film camera lenses, as well as existing current lenses for APS-C and full frame DSLR's are now usable on MFT cameras.

Firmware

Panasonic has announced the following firmware update [11]

Recording formats

Still photography

Video formats

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Four Thirds system</span> Digital camera design standard

The Four Thirds System is a standard created by Olympus and Eastman Kodak for digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) design and development. Four Thirds refers to both the size of the image sensor (4/3") as well as the aspect ratio (4:3). The Olympus E-1 was the first Four Thirds DSLR, announced and released in 2003. In 2008, Olympus and Panasonic began publicizing the Micro Four Thirds system, a mirrorless camera system which used the same sensor size; by eliminating the reflex mirror, the Micro Four Thirds cameras were significantly smaller than the Four Thirds cameras. The first Micro Four Thirds cameras were released in 2009 and the final Four Thirds cameras were released in 2010; by that time, approximately 15 Four Thirds camera models had been released by Olympus and Panasonic in total. The Four Thirds system was quietly discontinued in 2017, six years after the final cameras were released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lumix</span> Brand of digital cameras made by Panasonic

Lumix is Panasonic's brand of digital cameras, ranging from pocket point-and-shoot models to digital SLRs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1</span> Camera model

The Lumix DMC-L1 is Panasonic's first DSLR camera, and was announced in February 2006. This camera adheres to the Four Thirds System lens mount standard, making it the first non-Olympus Four Thirds camera, and thus confirming that the Four Thirds System is a semi-open standard such that compatible camera bodies can be built by different companies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micro Four Thirds system</span> Digital camera design standard

The Micro Four Thirds system is a standard released by Olympus Imaging Corporation and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras, camcorders and lenses. Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic, DJI, JVC, Kodak, Olympus, OM System, Panasonic, Sharp, and Xiaomi. MFT lenses are produced by Cosina Voigtländer, Kowa, Kodak, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sharp, Sigma, SLR Magic, Tamron, Tokina, TTArtisan, Veydra, Xiaomi, Laowa, Yongnuo, Zonlai, Lensbaby, Venus Optics and 7artisans amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 was the first digital mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC) adhering to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard. The G1 camera is similar to the larger Four Thirds system format DSLR cameras, but replaces the complex optical path needed for the optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder EVF displaying a live view image directly from the sensor. Eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder allows for smaller and lighter camera bodies, while the less complex optical path also allows for smaller, lighter lens designs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. Panasonic classified the GH1 as a hybrid stills/video camera and the GH1 was introduced and marketed as a higher end camera than Panasonic's first MFT camera, the stills only, non-video capable Lumix DMC-G1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P1</span> Camera model

The Olympus Pen E-P1 announced on 16 June 2009 is Olympus Corporation's first camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The first camera to use the Micro Four Thirds mount was Panasonic's G-1 camera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1</span> Camera model

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 was introduced in September 2009 as the third camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds system. It was the first model in the "GF" line, which is primarily distinguished from the other Lumix G cameras by the lack of an integrated electronic viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P2</span> Camera model

The Olympus Pen E-P2 announced on 5 November 2009 is Olympus Corporation's second camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P2 succeeds the Olympus Pen E-P1 a little over five months after the introduction of the EP-1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirrorless camera</span> Compact camera with a user-removable and replaceable lens

A mirrorless camera is a digital camera which, in contrast to DSLRs, does not use a mirror in order to ensure that the image presented to the photographer through the viewfinder is identical to that taken by the camera. They have come to replace DSLRs, which have historically dominated interchangeable lens cameras. Other terms include electronic viewfinder interchangeable lens (EVIL) cameras and compact system cameras (CSCs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-PL2</span> Camera model

The Olympus PEN E-PL2, was announced in early January 2011 at the CES. This is Olympus Corporation's fourth camera that uses the Micro Four Thirds mount after the Olympus PEN E-P1, Olympus PEN E-P2 and Olympus PEN E-PL1. At the time it was announced, it had a US dollar MSRP of $599.99. As with earlier PEN models, the E-PL2 is aimed in between the point-and-shoot and D-SLR markets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a digital camera with HD video recording capability that is part of the Micro Four Thirds system. Though commonly referred to as a DSLR camera, it has no mirror or optical viewfinder, but has instead both a fold-out LCD screen and a electronic viewfinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2</span> Digital camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) design standard developed by Olympus and Panasonic. It was announced by Panasonic in March 2010 along with the Lumix DMC-G10. The G2 was introduced as the successor to the Lumix DMC-G1 camera, with upgrades such as 720p high-definition video recording capability in AVCHD Lite and Motion JPEG formats.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 is the sixth digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera introduced that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard, and the fourth Panasonic model MFT camera. The G10 model was announced concurrently with its more capable sibling, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, in March 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-P3</span> Digital camera model

The Olympus PEN E-P3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-P2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-PL3, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3</span> Camera model

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the eighth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series adhering to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) design standard, and was announced in June 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Olympus PEN E-PL3</span> Camera model

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-PL3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-PL2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-P3, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1. The E-PL3 is commonly said to be the "Lite" version of the E-P3, much as the E-PL1 and E-PL2 were "Lite" versions of the E-P1 and E-P2, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5</span> Camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera that adheres to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System design standard. It is identified as the twelfth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the nineteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7</span> Digital camera model

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 announced in August 2013, is a Micro Four Thirds compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. It was Panasonic's first Micro Four Thirds camera with a built-in in-body stabilization system (IBIS) and has a built-in EVF. Panasonic uses 2-axis in-body stabilization allowing the use of shutter speeds 1 to 2 stops slower than without stabilization, compared to the 4 to 5 stops of improvement offered by Olympus' 5-axis stabilization.

References

  1. ↑ "Micro Four Thirds | Benefits of Micro". Four Thirds. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  2. ↑ "Rozmowa z Michiharu Uematsu z firmy Panasonic". Fotopolis.pl. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  3. ↑ "Panasonic DMC G3 Review: 19. Conclusion: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  4. ↑ "Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 RAW vs JPEG". Cameralabs. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  5. ↑ "DCRP Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Review" . Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Compact System Camera – Review". Imaging-resource.com. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  7. ↑ "Olympus / Panasonic announce Micro Four Thirds: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  8. ↑ "Standard". Four Thirds. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  9. ↑ "Micro Four Thirds | Products(Lenses)". Four Thirds. 2011-08-26. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  10. ↑ "Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II: Digital Photography Review". Dpreview.com. 2005-02-17. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  11. ↑ "The World's First Digital Interchangeable Power Zoom Lenses | Press Release | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Panasonic.net. Archived from the original on 2012-02-23. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
Preceded by Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System cameras
October 2008–present		Succeeded by
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