Panasonic DMC-GH3 Mirrorless DSLR Optimized for Multimedia Photographers

Panasonic DMC-GH3 Mirrorless DSLR Optimized for Multimedia Photographers

Panasonic DMC-GH3 Mirrorless DSLR announced on September 17, 2012, targets multimedia photographers. The DMC-GH3 succeeds the GH2, launched in September 2010, as Panasonic's new flagship mirrorless DSLR.
The camera features a newly developed 16.05 MP Live MOS sensor which in combination with its Venus processing engine delivers improved dynamic range and ISO 200 -12,800 expandable to 125 - 25,600.
An improved LPF (Low Pass Filter) is claimed to minimize generation of moire while drawing maximum resolution of the image out of the sensor.
The DMC-GH3 is ruggedized and weather resistant, with magnesium alloy full diecast body and advanced splash / dustproof construction.

Video Recording

The DMC-GH3 captures full HD 60p/50p video with 30p/25p option in MOV (h.264), MP4 and AVCHD formats and supports video bit rates of 50Mbps in IPB and 72Mbps in All-I compression modes.
You get full-time AF as well as AF Tracking and Face Recognition AF. Touch AF in video recording lets users shift focus to a new object by touching it on the LCD.
Creative Video modes include Exposure and Slow/Fast-Motion mode. Exposure mode has four manual video modes: Program AE / Aperture-Priority / Shutter-Priority / Manual Exposure.
The Slow/Fast-Motion mode enables slow-motion (40% / 48% / 80%) and fast–motion (160% / 200% / 300%), all in Full-HD.

OLED EVF

The camera packs a 1,744K-dot (marginally improved over the GH-2) equivalent OLED EVF with 100% FOV. The image output between the LVF and the rear monitor is switched automatically with the eye sensor on the LVF, which features options of sensitivity - high, low and off - to reduce accidental activation of the rear monitor.

Free-angle LCD monitor

The 3.0-inch 614K-dot free-angle OLED rear monitor (3:2 aspect) with wide-viewing angle rotates 180° to the side and tilts 270° up and down offers approximately 100% of field of view. The OLED rear monitor adopts static touch control for smoother operation either in shooting or in playback.

Burst Mode Still Capture

The DMC-GH3 captures moving subjects clearly with the burst shooting at 6 fps in full resolution (max. 18 consecutive shots of RAW+JPEG) and 20 fps in 4-megapixel recording using an electronic shutter(max. 80 consecutive shots of JPEG).

Wi-Fi and Cloud Support

A free Android / iOS application, Lumix Link, lets you use a smartphone or a tablet to remotely control and operate the camera. What the camera is seeing is displayed live smoothly on the smartphone/tablet, and it is possible to set various controls including focus, exposure compensation, ISO, WB and Photo Style in addition to shutter release via live view using Wi-Fi.
After shooting, images including RAW files can be transferred over Wi-Fi to a smartphone or tablet immediately. Users can choose to upload images to the LUMIX CLUB Cloud Sync. Service via Wi-Fi- tethering and to send them to the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) -compliant AV equipment via a wireless router at home.
GH3 users get a personal folder on the cloud service and can transfer the images saved there to their Facebook, Flickr, Picasa, Twitter or YouTube accounts.

GPS Geo Tagging

In addition, GH-3 lets you tag the location information to the image by utilizing the GPS (Global Positioning System) log of a smartphone/tablet.

 

Creative Shooting Options

HDR (High Dynamic Range) shooting option that allows you to capture three separate exposures and combine them in-camera
Time Lapse Shot or Multiple Exposure

Flash

A new built-in flash of GN12 equivalent (ISO 100 •m) / GN17 equivalent (ISO 200 •m) covers 24mm wide angle of view. Synchronization for flash dimming and exposure compensation is available with adjustment of 1/3EV Step ±3EV. Manual control and a sync terminal are newly added for more versatile use of external flash.

Contrast Auto Focus (AF)

Panasonic is sticking with Contrast AF even as competing products are dabbling with hybrid focus systems combining contrast and phase detection.
Panasonic maintains Contrast AF give higher accuracy when shooting with a bright lens with a wide open aperture.
The DMC-GH3 features ultra-high-speed AF which makes it possible to capture fast-moving subjects clearly. The camera and the lens exchange the digital signal at 240 fps to minimize the time to focus.

Other Features

A new control layout with three dials on the front and back as well as single-function buttons.
Level Gauge which lets the camera detect the horizontal/vertical angle of view with its internal level working with the acceleration sensor. Photos shot in a portrait aspect will be automatically displayed vertically whichever lens is used.