The Panasonic Lumix GH3 digital camera is one of the best cameras I have tested so far. Check out this Panasonic Lumix review and find out for yourself! Visit: http://www.wheretobuycameraonline.com
1. Panasonic Lumix GH3 Review
By Phil Corsa
The Panasonic Lumix GH3 is a camera with an electronic viewfinder; that means it lacks a flip-up
mirror. The camera belongs to the so-called Micro Four System, which also means that it is
equipped with a sensor that is smaller than an ordinary APS-C sensor. This sensor measures 17.3
x 13 mm. With the lack of a real optical viewfinder, it is obvious that the camera should be in the
category of smaller DSLR cameras. However, it's not.
Panasonic is well-known for using relatively short recording distance, i.e. the distance between the
lens mount and the image sensor. But now, this seems to be history as the depth gauge has risen
by several millimeters as well as the other measurements; both width and height have increased
compared to its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix GH2. If I could compare the Lumix GH3 with
any other competing camera model purely based on quality, it would be the Olympus OM-D E-M5,
which I tested relatively recently. But the OM-D is a much smaller camera than the Panasonic
GH3. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 is also 125 grams lighter than the Panasonic Lumix GH3.
To be included in this camera DX-format system, this is a large camera compared to other
cameras in the same system. But on the other hand, it has a real hand grip that fits perfectly for
people with normal-sized hands. All fingers fit around the grip. In addition, the camera feels
substantially built with its magnesium alloy body. It is also weather-sealed against moisture and
dust and actually feels really professional in handling. However, as I’m an ethical person, I have a
hard time accepting the camera’s design. In my eyes, it does not look beautiful, and it looks
worse in real life than in the picture.
But I think the Panasonic Lumix GH3 is really built for high impact because it made a hefty air
travel when I slipped and fell on an ice patch that was hidden under the snow. The camera ended
up about four meters away and full of snow. I prayed to God that the camera would not break,
and I think He listened. But perhaps it was the engineers at Panasonic that really came to my
rescue. It seems that they missed the weather seal around the card compartment, but no snow
seemed to have penetrated there anyway. The camera worked just fine after I wiped away most
of the snow. Perhaps that’s why this camera is the most expensive model in Panasonic's
programs. If you are interested in the daily current price, just scroll down below this article.
2. While I mention the price issue here, it may be worth noting that the optional battery grip
currently costs $200, which makes the Panasonic Lumix GH3 even more expensive. But what is
most remarkable is the price comparison with the Olympus OM-D. Today, the OM-D is $540
cheaper than the Lumix GH3 (both camera body only). As I understand, there is exactly the same
sensor in both cameras. No matter how you twist and turn it, the Panasonic GH3 seems to be a bit
too expensive.
Good Button System
What I really appreciate about this camera is the ability to quickly set up the camera functions
with buttons and/or wheels. This is unlike many cameras where the manufacturers really tried to
develop the digital possibilities of long and complicated menus, forcing you to dive deep into the
camera to find any of them, and it can take forever before learning that menu system. Now, it's
rather quickly and easily done without the need to look in the manual.
For those who want to customize their cameras, the Panasonic Lumix GH3 is one of the best in its
class. There are a lot of optional features and, of course, the three programmable modes: C1, C2
and C3. Here, you can set your own settings for various scenes, such nature photography,
portraits and sports or in the same niche, like animal photography, C1 for photo safari with a long
focal length, C2 for animals at a short distance and C3 for macro photography.
There are three adjustment wheels for aperture, shutter speed, exposure compensation and
more. In addition, there is a fast, accessible knob to the right of the viewfinder for setting single
AF, manual and continuous focus. In addition, there are direct buttons for setting the AF area,
sensitivity and white balance. It’s great to have real buttons and wheels instead of complicated
menus.
Menus
If you'd rather keep on with menus, they are at least logically arranged. You can navigate with
arrow keys and also directly on the screen, as it is a touch screen. You can even control the AF
point directly on the touch screen. The screen can be rotated in all positions and has a resolution
of 460,000 dots. It uses OLED technology instead of LCD, and both contrast and color
3. reproduction is very good.
Electronic Viewfinder
The camera has an electronic viewfinder that gives me some difficulties. The viewfinder of the
Olympus OM-D camera is much better. On the Panasonic Lumix GH3, it seems that the outer glass
piece (or is it plastic?) is just not suitable. Many times, I find it difficult to see the viewfinder
image sharply enough. I must have my eye just in the right spot to see the picture clearly. If I
even slightly change the position, the image becomes blurry. I even tried without my glasses and
used lenses instead, but it was the same result in both cases. I hope it works better in your case.
When I manage to keep my eye in the right place, the image is relatively good. The resolution is
quite high with 1.7 million points, and OLED technology makes the image both sharp and rich in
details. Otherwise, the problem with electronic viewfinders is that the image is not as good as with
an optical viewfinder. But here, Panasonic has done it really well.
Autofocus
Actually, there is no need for an autofocus header because I usually have something negative to
say about most cameras and their autofocus. But here, the Panasonic Lumix GH3 stands out with
a really excellent autofocus, unlike most cameras. This camera is equipped with a so-called
contrast autofocus, and in lab environments, it actually focuses a little faster than the Olympus
OM-D. It is not only fast; it is also very accurate. There is not any doubt at all with the autofocus
setting. It is most noticeable with normal focal lengths and telephoto focal lengths. However, the
camera did not really hang up when it comes to fast movements and pans with fast birds and
sports, such as ice hockey. Even continuous shooting is excellent and about the same as the
Olympus OM-D. The Panasonic Lumix GH3 deserves a real gold star here.
Time Lapse
This is probably worth mentioning. The camera has a function to provide so-called "time lapse"
situations. Everyone seems to love this new feature and have uploaded lots of both good and bad
4. ones on YouTube. The camera can automatically take 9,999 pictures at intervals from one second
up to 99 minutes. Be sure to have a fully charged battery if you use this function at maximum.
You can see a time-lapse function with the GH3 camera in the video to the left.
Panasonic Video
If you are one of those photographers who often use the video function, you have found the right
camera. The Panasonic Lumix GH3 has everything you could wish for when it comes to video,
even when I compare it to cameras that are much more expensive, like the GH3, which can shoot
in Full HD, 1920 x 1080 pixels. Sometimes, I wonder if they have invested more in the Panasonic
video mode than the still image function.
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