Full Panasonic G3 review at Digitalcamerainfo!
Digitalcamerainfo (Click here) posted a 22 page long full detailed Panasonic G3 review! Yes you should take at least 30 minutes of time, a coffea and read the test carefully. And they did like the camera a lot: “As you will have no doubt seen from our direct comparison pages in this review, the G3 simply dwarfs the competition for control options.”…”It has a new 16-megapixel sensor that was able to keep noise to a respectable minimum, offered the best color accuracy of our comparison group, and managed a respectable dynamic range of more than 6.5 stops.”…”Altogether, it makes the G3 a very promising member of the Micro Four-Thirds family, and a very good entry-level camera in its own right.”.
Thanks T.J. Donegan for providing the nice review!
I think after reading the review you will agree that the G3 is a very good cameras…or not?
Theoretically worlwide G3 shipments should start tomorrow. Cick on the following store names to preorder the G3 at Amazon, Adorama and B&H. In Europe at Amazon.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.fr, and worldwide on eBay.
By the way, the image on top shows the Panasonic G3 with the all-black 14-42mm kit lens! Do you like it? Me…yes!
frosti7
2 years ago |wow nice! i’ll read it in the morning, i wonder how does he calculate the 6.5 DR stops…
and how does the DYNAMIC RANGE compare to the previous 12mp sensor?
Bob B.
2 years ago |When did you say that the Panasonic PRo model will be available??????????
admin
2 years ago |Tomorrow?
y2bd
2 years ago |Wait, what!?
lego
2 years ago |hahah, jokes!
Bob B.
2 years ago |LOL!
Jack
2 years ago |Admin, I can imagine how busy you were, great news everyday!
Matteo
2 years ago |@Admin
Mobile theme switch doesn’t work on iPad
A2
2 years ago |I’ve got e-pl1, but think e-pl1 will be my next..
Ed
2 years ago |Amazon is currently saying “Delivery Estimate: July 20, 2011 – September 2, 2011″.
Nick Clark
2 years ago |Great link! I’ve never visited their site before but I like the way they work through the review
calxn
2 years ago |It actually was a pretty good review site. It’s comparable to dpreview.
Mark
2 years ago |6.5 stops sound low? I though the gf2 had close to 10 stops!!
Bob B.
2 years ago |hmmm..and the GF1 had 12 stops…this is starting to make a LOT of sense all of a sudden.
(just kidding)
Per
2 years ago |I think 6,5 stops is about what you could get with for instance Fuji Velvia in the old film days. Negative color film was a bit higher. As a comaparison the new Phase One 80 mpix IQ180 has a dynamic range of 12 step. What kind of dynamic range DXO talks abou I do not know. This rview seemms better “grounded” in real photography. DP review has very good analyzw of DR I think. Will be interesting to see what they say.
Remeber: Dynamic range is not always important in a photograph.
Nick Clark
2 years ago |I think there’s a variety of ways to measure DR, and I’m assuming that this isn’t the same as DXO…
Agrivar
2 years ago |The black 14-42 is nice!! Especially with the silver trim.
wife
2 years ago |Nothing like clicking on “Panasonic G3 review!” and the link goes to Amazon.
amalric
2 years ago |In this review the figure for DR is just a VOTE. DPR instead reported the true DR for Jpeg, which is 10,3 EV, nothing to get happy of.
In theory, when a higher pixel density sensor is launched SNR increases.
But it does at higher ISO. Base noise instead increases, and must be denoised. This, I gather spoils DR, or at least doesn’t increase it.
That is why I welcome Oly’s rumored approach. Keep the Mpx count down but increase IQ, which is basically DR. It made the glory of film, and it is still lacking – see blown highlights, and noisy shadows.
Getting the DR right IMHO is far more important than upping the ISO, for the beauty of an image. Very curious to know how Oly’s new sensor fares, irrespective of its Mpx.
mahler
2 years ago |10,3 EV is not really bad. Sure, there are better options but for this sensor size it is quite good. All in all m4/3 and especially the G3 is a very good compromise between size/weight and IQ.
Although cameras like the D5100 are relatively small DSLRs, their bodies are still significantly larger and if you take the lenses into account, the size adavantages of m4/3 gets overwhelming.
These are known facts, but I don’t understand, why this needs to be repeated with each new review, that is discussed here (I refer also to other comments here.)
Anonymous
2 years ago |Very one sided review, the epl2 and the G3 are not head to head camera’s in the m4/3 market. They are targeted at different groups. Pens are in the GF class. The G3 is really aim to take on entry dslr. And on the note, the nikon d5100 will still out do it in low light and DR. Where the G3 will out do the nikon in HD. The G camera were design to go after that market with a smaller body, and more controls and options like it’s target buyer of entry dslr.
mahler
2 years ago |I don’t see any one-sidedness here. The EPL-2 is the only thing, which is currently comparable. The G3 and the EPL-2 are in similar price ranges and are, although differently styled, direct competitors.
Olympus has to face this competition and comparison. Just because they are not competitive in important areas, such as performance, one cannot conclude that the two systems aren’t comparable or that it is one-sided to do so.
Apparently, Olympus has three new models in pipeline to be released shortly, so that may change the situation for Olympus again.
Currently it is clear that Olympus is in many respects of the product line way back: product diversity, performance, control layout, usability, and now IQ (JPEG) isn’t in the front as well.
Anonymous
2 years ago |The epl-2 and the GF-2 are pretty close in price, and are both compacts. Both can add a optional evf. But are after the same market. People looking at the gf-2 would naturally look at a pens. We can use the price rational to say the G3 is after the entry dslr market, it is very close in price with a canon T3i and the d5100, and they have way better control layout the the pens. And they have viewfinders like the g2, just optical. And they all have swivel.
Most point and shooter not looking to go to the boxy or more complicated dslr will go for a gf or pen or a nes, and dslr users looking for a compact with high IQ will look at a gf and a pen or nex.
So that is why I said it is one sided, if you look at were this camera is segmented. The D5100 and T3i should have been compare to also.
calxn
2 years ago |I don’t get what is wrong with Panasonic. It’s either they do not have access to some technology that Sony have patents for or they’re just cutting corners. It amazes me the pecking order in sensor isn’t changing. Definitely has the feel of patented technology. Let’s see how Samsung’s new sensor does. If it doesn’t improve much, then I will assume it’s patent related.
amalric
2 years ago |Sorry, but the E-620 with the Panny 12 Mpx sensor had 11.2 EV Dynamic Range. The GH2 has almost as much. the X-100 should be very good.
This is needed by photographers. To consumers you can sell Mpx and ever high ISO. The G3 does that.
Osang
2 years ago |I’m getting confused with the G3 specs. It says from the review, “The camera does have an external mi jack, but it does have a few audio controls.” Other sites says none.
hinting
2 years ago |The 25mm lens is now listed on the UK site for £ 548.99
Miroslav
2 years ago |30 minutes for 22 pages? No way for me. I suppose you can read 300 comments in 15 minutes
.
G3 is looking better by the day. Oh, if only we could get Oly version with IBIS.
Bob B.
2 years ago |hmmmm….post a rumor about the new Olympus cameras and there are OVER 300 comments in one day…
I guess, if we do the math…we can see how much interest there is in the G3 here!
admin
2 years ago |The G3 is not a rumor, and we already know the weknesses and strenghts. Of course there is not a lot to discuss here.
NiKo
2 years ago |Interesting article, the g3 definitely looks to be a great camera for smartphone users</sarcasm>
I’m still waiting for upcoming Olympus June announcements, and much probably for one of a true pro-grade m43 rangefinder-style body with full manual controls (yeah, let me hope).
kesztió
2 years ago |Really love this rangefinder-hype.
Neither of the upcoming Olypus cameras have articulated screen and built-in flash at the same time.
Moreover, no Olympus camera has built-in viewfinder at this time and there are even no reliable rumors about launching such an Olympus camera in the near future.
But you still consider G3 a great camera for smartphone users.
What a snobbery…
NiKo
2 years ago |Just let me be the snob I want, please. You’re another kind of one judging me by a statement about my personal taste and expectations.
James
2 years ago |my only question is when they (amazon UK) are going to ship me mine!. Better be TODAY! several Amazon retailers are claiming to have stock …. and already discounted aswell
Onlyme
2 years ago |Looking good. The most pleasing thing to hear in this review is the improvement in the white balance accuracy and the colour accuracy.
Does anyone know if and when the G3 will be sold in bundles with lenses other than the 14-42, in particular the 14-140?
kesztió
2 years ago |I would be interested particularily in 20/1.7 bundle, but I don’t think it will be possible.
kesztió
2 years ago |BTW, Admin.
Have you ever seen a rangefinder-style body having
1. built-in viewfinder,
2. built-in flash,
3. articulated screen
at the same time?
Please tell our readers that there is no hope to see such a weird things in the near future – either from Pana or Oly…
sneye
2 years ago |There is one. Olympus E-330.
AndyOz
2 years ago |I would be happy if there was a rangefinder style body with an EVF in the top corner. I dont care too much about a built-in flash and even less about an articulated LCD. I wouldnt be surprised if there was such a body one day and it might have either a flash or moving LCD. Others might want all 3 but I think you would find that most would be happy with the built-in EVF.
Aah the E-330 I remember that – at least it looked better than the E-300! But still it did not look quite as nice as the L1 did even though they shared alot of components. Perhaps Oly could follow that design theme but square it off a bit and make it smaller that might be a nice micro 4/3 evf model.
kesztió
2 years ago |I’m happy with the G3 format and simply don’t understand why the rangefinder-style is so special.
Retro-feeling maybe? Nostalgia? Snobbery?
Anyway, even the extremely expensive Leica M series seem to be nothing but unconfortable and frustrating cameras for me.
A classic DSLR with good grip and autofocus looks like a much better and much-much more affordable choice.
Bob B.
2 years ago |Viewfinder.
kesztió
2 years ago |You mean you prefer an imprecise viewfinder with parallax error – moreover one not suitable at all for zoom lenses?
AndyOz
2 years ago |I agree that the G3 is looking pretty good and I may have to get one if there is no Oly model coming with an EVF.
Cant we all have our styling preferences – some of which may be just superficial! A couple of reasons I would like something like a Micro4/3 ‘rangefinder’ with an EVF in the top corner (like the X100 say) is:
- with a folded light path (like the X100 with a prism) the viewfinder is a bit smaller for the same magnification and hence the overall camera thickness is reduced. The G3 has a big protrusion for the eye cup on the back. Not major but just makes it a bit more ‘compact’ or ‘pocketable’.
- putting your right eye up to the top corner EVF allows your left eye to look at a wider scene and see what is coming into frame.
- if there is no mirror box why shouldnt the design form be allowed to change. We have had mirror humps for good reason for years and not that we dont need them its good to see different body designs.
- yes ok maybe it is just ‘retro’ – us wanting a digital version of say the old Pen F or the 35RC.
But its all just preference I know and in the end it doesnt really matter that much. All i want is an Oly model with built-in EVF wherever they can locate it best.
kesztió
2 years ago |Agree – but a rangefinder-camera must be bigger, as it’s not really aesthetical to have an asimmetrical vertical protrusion (EVF on the corner).
The G3 is not essentially taller than the LCD itself – not counting the EVF on the middle. But if you want to put the EVF on the corner, The whole camera should be taller to keep the symmetry.
Moreover, a swiveling LCD is much more difficult to put on a rangefinder body due to the EVF in the top corner.
My English is not outstanding, so I’m not sure if you understand what I mean…
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Kesztio
Thanks for the reply. Your English is fine – i understood exactly what you mean. So no need to worry about your English.
I agree that putting an LCD is a bit more difficult with an EVF in the top corner and may have to result in a smaller LCD. However check out the X100 – it has a 2.8″ LCD whereas the G3 has a 3″ LCD. So its not much different. I agree that a swivel LCD might be more difficult to package in but to me thats not as important as a VF.
I agree that if the design of a micro 4/3 rangefinder body just ended up with a vertical hump on the left to accommodate the VF it would look funny. However look at the X100 it just has a flat top and looks great. Remember it has the same Epson vf as the Olympus VF-2 and the light path is ‘folded’ 90 degrees from through the depth of the camera to along the length (see the Fuji website for pictures). I am talking about only using the EVF part of the Fuji system as I know having an optical view finder (OVF) would be hard with interchangeable lenses. There should actually be more room on the corner for a viewfinder as there is some package space there away from the lens mount whereas for a VF designed in the centre of a camera – any viewfinder has to sit above the mount which is already the highest part of the camera.
Anyway it will be interesting to see if either Panasonic or Olympus do anything like it. They might not and I will buy a G3 or whatever Olympus bring out (digital version of OM).
Martin Lind
2 years ago |I prefer the Leica M viewfinder over my Canons (or rather the Leica M is in my opinion better than any Canonikon), Since with a viewfinder on the side of the camera (Rangefinder style), you don’t need to smudge the screen with our nose (or risk freezing it on cold winter days).
Also with a viewfinder on the side you can se with your left eye as you compose with your right eye, since you don’t have a fat camera that blocks half the view of your left you (sure the smaller cameras like Canon 600D it works and probably the G3 too, but not as well as a Leica M or Fuji X100).
Also why I would like to se a rangefinder like viewfinder is because there is no m4/3 camera with one. Not like they are mutual exclusive.
Esa Tuunanen
2 years ago |Electronic viewfinder can be positioned freely and moving it to corner is trivial thing so there’s no need to destroy tried ergonomy of DSLRs just for getting viewfinder to best position.
Panasonic would have had excellent chance for improving that aspect lot but as they’re consumer electronics company we’re still stuck with unergonomic fake DSLR viewfinder position. (G3 is very close to same size as GH2 I have so no hope of nose fitting past body when looking into EVF)
Actually viewfinder could have been gotten nearer camera’s side in DSLR because there’s no need of space for film rolls and camera’s edge could be next to lens mount. Olympus tried that with E-1 but Canikon and film era “pros” obviously weren’t happy about trying to improve ergonomy and no one demanded Canikon to improve ergonomy.
Belay
2 years ago |For a guy like me coming from the compact world this camera sounds really amazing with a lot of possibilities (again compared to compact)… I like the fact to be able to make video and pictures in quite good quality using the same camera…I like also the point to have everything (evf, tilted screen, flash & interchangeable lens) on one system… Then maybe in 2-3 years I will switch to something more specific (like a GF-Pro model)…We will see… I really think EVIL camera (NEX, µ4/3, NX) are the future of photography… At least for that market in between compact and pro DSLR. The competition between all the companies will bring innovative products and components.
That’s why I preordered the G3 yesterday.
AndyOz
2 years ago |Hi Belay
Greats news on your order. Hope it suits your photography and that you are really happy with it.
Micro 4/3 is definetely a good system for people coming from compacts and opens up alot more possibilities and better image quality without going to a larger size dSLR. I hope that Oly and Panasonic keep expanding their bodies and lenses and improving their sensors so that micro 4/3 customers are well served. I think its about the right sensor size compromise for small enough bodies and lenses without going too small. Others might disagree.
Oriol
2 years ago |I read a review of the G3 at the french magazine Reponses Photo and they were not very enthousiastic. Image quality was rated as 22/30, and they did not like the EVF.
che
2 years ago |Paid review. Sorry but it sounds like it. In the VS part of the review they always talk about ISO in performance tab and then with the VS NEX they dont mention it, just dynamic range (who cares about one stop DR) in most situations its not even noticable. And with EPL2 they talk just about that. I mean 2,5 p. GF1 and GH1 GH2 EP2 EPL2 are better cameras overall.
Btw if anyones watching http://www.facebook.com/getolympus/posts/10150279488724493?notif_t=feed_comment_reply they said they need a new sensor if to change motionjpg, i dont really get it why. its a lie. how come GH1 or GF1 has better video than PEN and more options.
che
2 years ago |Btw on the size comparision page they put the right numbers but the pics are not in good ratio.
Nico
2 years ago |My biggest question with regards to G3…Does it have better high iso than my GF1 in RAW? That’s all i need to know. GF1 performance above ISO 400 is terrible. If they managed to improve high iso while maintaining the rest (DR and low ISO), then this looks like my upgrade path…
hermitizer
2 years ago |G3 doesn’t look to be available in the U.S. today, still says pre-order. and no shipping confirmation for my order received yet.
FedeR
2 years ago |This review of Panny G3 confirm to me that increasing mpx now is the wrong directions. If you look at ISO examples you can see a very aggressive noise reduction filter that blow out any fine details (look at the G2 samples on the right).
The need to use a very aggressive filter come from more noise in raw, caused by far minor pixel pitch than 12 mpx sensor.
If you compare the G3 ISO examples with ones of Nikon D7000, you see that G3 200 ISO is very similar to D7000 800 is for lost of fine details: G3 is near 2 stop behind the D7000.
For me, the Panny G3 is not a viable option at all.
Panasonic must think to remove all problems of their faulty Live-MOS in software? This the wrong way!!
I hope that rumored new Oly sensor will be in 12 mpx range, but improoved to capture more light and more fast that previews Panny 12 mpx sensor.
I will be more happy also with a 10 mpx sensor (is enough for most use) but with the best low light and dr possible performance
Panny… please, go to Sony sensor school!
BillyJ
2 years ago |Hey Admin!
is there any way to get some more precise info on G3 availability in the US?
It seems is still in pre-order everywhere! Panasonic Direct says: shipping in June/July.
Thanks!
Billy
admin
2 years ago |Did you try to contact your favorite dealer?
sam
2 years ago |I’d still recommend the GF1 with the 20mm kit lens as the best m4/3 camera that’s been released. I wouldn’t recommend a GF2, GF3 or G3 to anyone.
Why not just bring a GF1 MK II to market?
Husband
2 years ago |Admin,
is there a Chance, the shown 14-42mm all in black is a updated Version? Cause if you have a loser lock the Difference is not only the color but the silver Ring (till now only seen at the new PanaLeica 1.4 25mm) an the distance between focus and zoom Ring is much wider.