Hands-on preview of the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

[Ian]

So who is won over by the G3? I must say that it looks beautifully made and probably has the best in-store appeal of all the G-series apart from maybe the GF1. I personally think the styling of the GF2 is a little odd, but that's purely personal.

Ian

[fluffy]

I have to say it does nothing for me. I wasn't impressed by the G2/10 or GF2, and now that I have an E-PL2 to stick in my pocket (huge pockets on the cargo shorts I invariably wear), I'll wait I guess for a new high end body from either company. I've noticed that the GH-2 is either unavailable or in extremely short supply from the purveyors over here and I wonder if 1) there was more earthquake damage to their plants than Panasonic has let on or 2) they're taking advantage of the window and are getting ready to release a new high-end body, or both.

[Ned]

I have to agree with Steve. The E-PL2 got me really excited with its new styling (the better grip size of the E-PL1 to hold larger lenses, but without looking blocky and ugly like the E-PL1), and its weaker AA filter akin to the E-5. They also didn't strip the camera of its good qualities like they did with the E-PL1, keeping a metal-alloy body, no spec limitations, and not removing all the dials. Great addition to the "done right" category to go alongside the E-P2.

However, the G-series never interested me that much. It's too bulky and standardized in style and size for me to warrant using a mirrorless system. The system just makes too many compromises for me. I'd rather have a full sized DSLR like the E-5 and a super-compact micro camera like the PEN or the GF series, while using the same lenses on both body types. As far as a G-series camera goes, the G3 looks great though... Better AutoFocus (probably my #1 improvement), higher resolution sensor, 1080i HD video (I actually prefer the 720p, but some clients are all about numbers without knowing the difference in the real world).

I have a question for you, Ian, about the G3... your review says it has integrated stereo microphones (which I can actually see on top of the camera, lol), but does it also include a jack for an external mic?

[Ian]

The GH2 is still quite new - it only started shipping last Christmas and it's pretty much up to date technology-wise. The G3 borrows some bits from the GH2 parts bin.

I do wonder if the mini-DSLR look holds the G-series back as it makes the camera seem larger in pictures than it really is. The G3 is remarkably small now. I know that's not good news for everyone, of course.

Ian

[Ned]

Originally Posted by Ian

I do wonder if the mini-DSLR look holds the G-series back as it makes the camera seem larger in pictures than it really is. The G3 is remarkably small now. I know that's not good news for everyone, of course.

Ian

Yeah, I can see a big difference in size from the first photo you posted with the comparison to the G1, but otherwise I wouldn't have noticed how much smaller it is.

I'd like to see what it looks like compared with the GF-1... Care to help us out with another pic, Ian?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Ned

Yeah, I can see a big difference in size from the first photo you posted with the comparison to the G1, but otherwise I wouldn't have noticed how much smaller it is.

I'd like to see what it looks like compared with the GF-1... Care to help us out with another pic, Ian?

I don't have a GF1 or a GF2 at the moment, sorry.

I might be able to show the two cameras next to each other to scale using two pictures?

Ian

[Rick D]

I'm still mired in the regular four thirds world, but this G is far more to my liking than the G1 or 2. Had it Oly's IBIS it would perhaps be the camera to at last lure me into the system. I would need to try the touchscreen to see whether it's to my liking, though.

Cheers,

Rick

Originally Posted by Ian

So who is won over by the G3? I must say that it looks beautifully made and probably has the best in-store appeal of all the G-series apart from maybe the GF1. I personally think the styling of the GF2 is a little odd, but that's purely personal.

Ian

[Ned]

Originally Posted by Ian

I don't have a GF1 or a GF2 at the moment, sorry.

I might be able to show the two cameras next to each other to scale using two pictures?

Ian

Yeah, I can't see why that wouldn't work as long as we have a point of reference that's the same size like a lens or the flash hotshoe.

[John Perriment]

The G3 definitely looks smaller than its predesessors and I don't dislike the basic design, in fact I rather appreciated the substantial grip on my G1. What makes the camera seem particularly bulky, or awkward for its size, is the amount of rear overhang of the EVF. It's a shame they can't do something about this, even if it meant increasing how much it protrudes at the front, after all that makes little difference with a lens attatched anyway.

The new 16mp sensor looks interesting, particularly as it is a normal and not oversized sensor as appears in the GH2. This could be an indication of the sensor we might expect in the anticipated high end or "pro" Olympus MFT. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that it might even feature eventually in a traditional E-x series DSLR upgrade for the E-5.

But would I buy a G3? I don't think so. I like the basic design and proportions of my G1 but I find the menus frustrating and, to me, Olympus menus are more logical and easier to navigate. That could change with greater familiarity, of course, but the real issue for me is Auto WB accuracy and colour fidelity, particularly in JPEGS which I do tend to favour for the type of photography I use this category of camera for. In this respect, from what I've experienced Panasonic just can't touch Olympus.

[Alan Clogwyn]

There's a few size comparison pics here.

I'm reserving full judgement on the new sensor till it's got it's DXOmark review up, so I can compare on a level field. First impressions though it looks to match the GH2 for noise performance.

I'd need to try the tocuhcreen to see where all the things lost off the top have gone, but I could probably live with i as a day to day body.

I've never liked the Pens or GFs, the whole compact styling thing does nothing for me, I prefer the comfort of a DSLR style body and the built in EVF I like very much, I prefer it to an OVF.

Only thing that does worry me is what this camera heralds for the next top end body, the GH2's successor. Will we see a loss of controls on that and a bigger megapixel count again? That's most definitely not the direction I'd like to see the top end body heading as I'd like to retain quick access to all the important stuff as on my GH1, but gain the improvements n sensor tech and AF being brought in on recent models.