Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Summary

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.[2]

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3[1]
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 with body color red and the Lumix G 14mm F2.5 lens attached
Overview
TypeMicro Four Thirds System
Lens
LensMicro Four Thirds System mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor4/3 type MOS ('Live MOS sensor')
Maximum resolution4000×3000 (12.0 megapixels)
Film speedISO 160–6400
Storage mediaSD /SDHC /SDXC
Focusing
Focus modesAuto Focus, Manual focus, Face Detection, AF Tracking, 23-Area-Focusing/1 Area Focusing, Single or Continuous AF, Touch shutter, Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion image recording), AF+MF, Touch MF Assist
Exposure/metering
Exposure modesProgram AE, Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual, iAuto, SCN, Movie,Custom (2)
Exposure metering144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
Metering modesMultiple-Weighted, Center-Weighted, Spot
Flash
FlashBuilt-in-Flash, TTL, GN 6.3 equivalent (ISO160 · m)
Shutter
Shutterfocal-plane
Shutter speed range60–1/4000 sec
Continuous shooting7 RAW images, Unlimited JPEG images with a fast card; H: 3.8 frames/sec, M: 2.8 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View)
Viewfinder
ViewfinderNone (no accessory hotshoe)
General
LCD screen3.0" Low temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD with Touch panel;wide angle view
Battery940 mAh 7.2v Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Dimensions107.7 by 67.1 by 32.5 millimetres (4.24 in × 2.64 in × 1.28 in)
WeightApprox. 264 g (9.3 oz) (camera body, battery, SD Card),
Approx. 319 g (11.3 oz) (incl. 14 mm lens, card and battery)
Made inJapan

The Panasonic DMC-GF3 uses a resistive touchscreen to provide mode selections, and as such that there is not a mode dial on the camera. Many features are no longer controlled by dials and buttons and wheels, but via the 3-inch touchscreen (460k- dot) at the rear of the unit.[3]

At the time of introduction on 13 June 2011, the GF3 was the world's smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera.[2]

The GF3 has received generally positive reviews for a small camera with a large sensor, and has speedy handling, including very fast auto focus, and good image quality. The camera was praised for its improvements in jpeg colour rendering and high iso over the previous Panasonic GF2 model but criticised the GF3 for its lack of external controls and hotshoe (preventing use of the Panasonic viewfinder or flash system) and the older 12MP sensor which is showing its age against the newer Panasonic sensors and the larger APS-C sensors used in the Sony NEX cameras.[4]

The GF3 began shipping in late July 2011 and was configured in several kits [5] available with the Lumix G 14mm F2.5 lens (GF3C), the Lumix G 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 (GF3K), both the Lumix G 14mm F2.5 and 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 lenses (GF3W) or the Lumix G 14-42mm X PZ lens F3.5-5.6 (GF3X). The last letter of the product code identifies the GF3 body colour, available colours are Black (Code K), Pink (Code P), Red, (Code R), Brown (Code T) and White (Code W).

Features edit

The GF3 is one of the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system cameras. Designed in accordance with the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard, the GF3 is capable of both still and High Definition video, and is able to use a wide variety of MFT lenses supplied by both Olympus and Panasonic, as well as other third party lenses which conform to the MFT system design standard. With certain of the system pancake lenses, the GF3 is small enough to fit into a pocket, and yet is capable of delivering images that rival lower end digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras that are much bulkier in both size and weight.

The GF3 boasts an upgraded processor, so that it can focus much faster than predecessor GF1 and GF2 models, even though it uses the same 12MP four thirds sensor. The GF3 focus and reaction time is on par with its more expensive Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 sibling, but the GF3 cannot match the image quality of the newer, higher resolution 16MP G3 sensor, especially under low light conditions where higher ISO (greater than 800) speeds are used. However, even though the GF3 uses the older 12MP sensor the in camera JPEG processing has been improved for better colors and better high ISO performance when compared to the GF 2 and GF1 camera bodies. The GF3 puts small size at a premium, and when paired with a pancake lens made by either Panasonic or Olympus will make a particularly attractive purse or pocketable large sensor, interchangeable lens camera. Examples of such pancake type lenses would be the Panasonic Lumix 14mm f/2.5,[6] the Olympus 17 mm f/2.8[7] or the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7[8] pancake lenses. The newly introduced Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 X series power zoom lens[9] is a very compact zoom lens which in storage mode is only slightly larger than the Panasonic 20mm pancake.

Firmware updates edit

Panasonic Firmware releases edit

Panasonic has announced the following firmware update[10]

See also edit

Micro Four Thirds Camera introduction roadmap edit

Item Model Sensor Electronic View Finder (EVF) Announced
1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effective) EVF; 1.4x magnification; 1.44M dots 2008, October [11]
2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 4:3; 3:2; 16:9 (multi-aspect); 14.0 mp (12.1 mp effect) EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots 2009, April [12]
3 Olympus PEN E-P1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) optional hotshoe optical VF-1; 65 degree AOV 2009, July [13]
4 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF LVF1; 1.04x mag; 202K dots 2009, September [14]
5 Olympus PEN E-P2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2009, November [15]
6 Olympus PEN E-PL1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2010, February [16]
7 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) EVF; 1.04x magnification; 202K dots 2010, March [17]
8 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots 2010, March [18]
9 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 4:3; 3:2; 16:9 (multi-aspect); 18.3 mp (16.0 mp effect) EVF; 1.42x mag; 1.53M dots 2010, September [19]
10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF; 1.04x mag; 202K dots 2010, November [20]
11 Olympus PEN E-PL1s 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2010, November [21]
12 Olympus PEN E-PL2 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2011, January [22]
13 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 4:3 / 16.6 mp (15.8 mp effect) EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots 2011, May [23]
14 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) N/A 2011, June [2]
15 Olympus PEN E-P3 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2011, June[24]
16 Olympus PEN E-PL3 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2011, June[25]
17 Olympus PEN E-PM1 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2011, June[26]
18 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 4:3 / 16.6 mp (16.0 mp effect) opt hotshoe EVF LVF2; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots 2011, November[27]
19 Olympus OM-D E-M5 4:3 / 16.9 mp (16.1 mp effect)[28] EVF; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots 2012, February[29]

References edit

  1. ^ "DMC-GF3 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  2. ^ a b c "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ "Panasonic Singapore launches Lumix DMC-GF2 micro four-thirds camera". Vrzone.com. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  4. ^ "Panasonic DMC-GF3 Review". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  5. ^ "DMC-GF3 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 20 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
  6. ^ "Digital Interchangeable Lenses | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  7. ^ "M. 17mm f2.8". Archived from the original on 7 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  8. ^ "Digital Interchangeable Lenses | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 26 February 2016. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Digital Interchangeable Lenses | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 February 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. ^ "Panasonic Lumix Dmc-G1: World's Smallest and Lightest Digital Interchangeable Lens Camera*". Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ^ "Olympus E-P1 'digital Pen' - in depth preview + samples". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  14. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. ^ "Olympus launches E-P2 Micro Four Thirds camera". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Olympus unveils the affordable Pen". Digital Photography Review. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ CORP, OLYMPUS IMAGING. "OLYMPUS PEN Lite E-PL1s|デジタル一眼カメラ|オリンパスイメージング". Olympus-imaging.jp. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  22. ^ "Olympus E-PL2 announced and previewed". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  23. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. ^ "OLYMPUS - News Release: World's fastest AF*, Flagship of PEN series "OLYMPUS PEN E-P3"". Olympus-global.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  25. ^ "OLYMPUS - News Release: High functionality and high performance into a small body, "OLYMPUS PEN Lite E-PL3"". Olympus-global.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  26. ^ "OLYMPUS - News Release: First model of the New Line of "PEN mini" Series "OLYMPUS PEN mini E-PM1"". Olympus-global.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  27. ^ "DMC-GX1 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2011.
  28. ^ "Olympus announces OM-D E-M5 weather-sealed Micro Four Thirds camera". Dpreview.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  29. ^ "OLYMPUS - News Release: The OLYMPUS OM-D, a new generation system camera compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard". Olympus-global.com. Retrieved 26 December 2018.

External links edit

  Media related to Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 at Wikimedia Commons

  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Product site
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Press Release
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Review - dpreview.com
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Preview - cameralabs.com
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Review[permanent dead link] - imaging-resource.com
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Review - photographyblog.com
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Review - wikoshop.com
Preceded by Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System cameras
November 2008–present
Succeeded by