Panasonic DMC-G3 announced

Yeah, I was about to pull the trigger on a G2, but the G3 seems like a much better machine. Price is reasonable, too.

Joe
 
I knew this was coming out, but I just bought an E-PL2 anyway, because I like the form factor - and I like the jpgs from the Oly. The G3 is great news because the sensor will now find its way into other cameras. I will eventually get a G3 type body to round out my m4/3 system.
 
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GoneSavage said:
Touch LCD? No thank you.
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I feel the same. I have a GF1 and was disappointed in the GF2.

The G3 is different though. You do not need to use the touch screen at all. So you get a camera that is no larger than the GF1 + EVF, with a built-in EVF, articulating screen and programmable Fn buttons. Like all cameras it contains a set of compromises. I suppose it's a matter of decifing can you live with them.

A few days ago I handled a G3 at a show. I posted some impressions here:

http://www.seriouscompacts.com/f41/my-hands-g3-impressions-2413/
 
Pelao,

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed reading your impressions. From what little I've been able to read from other sources, I thought, and hoped, that using the touch screen was optional. The touch screen doesn't appeal to me that much, though I can imagine it might come in handy for shooting macro or video.

I also agree with you about the GF2 going in the wrong direction. The GF2 was a disappointment.

The G3 does seem like a contender though, and I look forward to seeing detailed reviews as they become available, and even better, getting my hands on one to try out. But a GF3 with better manual controls would really do it for me. So many compromises!
 
Pablito said:
4:3 native aspect ratio ruins these cameras for me.
Must have 3:2 - Trying out the NEX for now.
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I thought that was going to be a deal breaker for me, too. Turns out I really like 4:3 ... Perhaps because I shot a lot of medium format in 6x8 and my first large format camera was (is) a 3x4 (inches) Speed Graphic!
 
pggunn said:
Pelao,

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed reading your impressions. From what little I've been able to read from other sources, I thought, and hoped, that using the touch screen was optional. The touch screen doesn't appeal to me that much, though I can imagine it might come in handy for shooting macro or video.

I also agree with you about the GF2 going in the wrong direction. The GF2 was a disappointment.

The G3 does seem like a contender though, and I look forward to seeing detailed reviews as they become available, and even better, getting my hands on one to try out. But a GF3 with better manual controls would really do it for me. So many compromises!
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Yes - the compromises! I wanted my GF! with a built-in VF and a better sensor.

But I have been working through in my mind how I shoot, and whether or not the G3 compromises are really a big deal in likely actual use. I usually shoot in A Priority. I sometimes change ISO, though I often leave it on auto with a max of 800. What I do change a lot are aperture and exp comp (I love having a live histogram tucked in the corner).

On the G3 the ISO button works as before. So do aperture and compensation. AE lock can be assigned to the top Fn button.

What I would miss is being able to see, for example, the drive mode at a glance because it no longer has a physical control. In reality though, a quick glance at screen or VF will tell me the current setting.

What I gain is a first-class built-in VF (which I really wanted) and an articulating screen for shooting flexibility. Oh yes - what appears to be a better sensor.

I really need to read more reviews too, and hear more about the RAW files. In particular I really hope there are field reviews from real photographers to read alongside the nerdy (but useful in some ways) lab reviews.

I think if I had not actually held it, and had that 20 minutes with it, I would be pretty neutral from the pictures and previews. Most reviewers underplayed the loss of physical controls on the GF2. They just did not get it. They are taking a similar tone on the G3, but in this case the main dial remains, and there are two fully programmable Fn buttons.

Of course, I also need to play with the camera some more.
 
Pelao said:
I usually shoot in A Priority. I sometimes change ISO, though I often leave it on auto with a max of 800. What I do change a lot are aperture and exp comp (I love having a live histogram tucked in the corner).
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Right on. That's my preferred method, and I love a histogram when I can get it. (I've shot film almost exclusively for the last two years.)

Pelao said:
On the G3 the ISO button works as before. So do aperture and compensation. AE lock can be assigned to the top Fn button.
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Sounds good to me.

Pelao said:
What I gain is a first-class built-in VF (which I really wanted) and an articulating screen for shooting flexibility. Oh yes - what appears to be a better sensor.
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Yes, the articulating screen will be nice, and who can argue with a better sensor?

Pelao said:
I really need to read more reviews too, and hear more about the RAW files. In particular I really hope there are field reviews from real photographers to read alongside the nerdy (but useful in some ways) lab reviews.
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Amen! It's nice to learn about the features, specs, menus, controls, image quality, etc, but it's difficult to find good hands on how does it handle type reviews.

Pelao said:
the main dial remains, and there are two fully programmable Fn buttons.
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That could be the deciding factor - sounds like it does make the touch screen optional.

Thanks again for the info. It's nice to have some insight from someone who's actually seen the camera and knows what they're looking at, instead of a press release.
 
I did a hands-on in my article here. Check it out. It's a handy camera to have around and yeah, they did a considerable job in the high iso department. I'm waiting for a commercial set to do a full review.
 
GF1 owners might seriously feel tempted by the G3. I know I am. There's some nuances I find annoying on the GF1 but put up with due to it's size. The EVF on the GF1 always seems to feel like it's in the way when handling the camera in and out of bags and I'm paranoid about loosing it with a small bump against something or misplacement. So it stays off camera mostly and then annoys me thst it's not on there when I need it quickly. Also above 800 iso I don't particularly like the image noise of the gf1 and I think nice and clear at 1600 straight from camera will be a prerequisite with my next digital purchase. I'm keen for a touchy feely session with the g3. If it feels as small as my gf1 with better ergonomics then it could keep me from scaling up my sensor size for another year. I have to admit I've been very tempted of late to buy a Nikon d7000 but it's a large step that I'm not sure about taking yet.
 
Paolo Bonello said:
GF1 owners might seriously feel tempted by the G3. I know I am. There's some nuances I find annoying on the GF1 but put up with due to it's size. The EVF on the GF1 always seems to feel like it's in the way when handling the camera in and out of bags and I'm paranoid about loosing it with a small bump against something or misplacement. So it stays off camera mostly and then annoys me thst it's not on there when I need it quickly. Also above 800 iso I don't particularly like the image noise of the gf1 and I think nice and clear at 1600 straight from camera will be a prerequisite with my next digital purchase. I'm keen for a touchy feely session with the g3. If it feels as small as my gf1 with better ergonomics then it could keep me from scaling up my sensor size for another year. I have to admit I've been very tempted of late to buy a Nikon d7000 but it's a large step that I'm not sure about taking yet.
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Hi

I have many of the same feelings about the GF1. There is much about it I like, especially when I consider the system - the small, high quality lenses and the camera together.

But I would really like a quality VF and to be able to go to ISO 1600 with confidence. I think the G3 seems to answer these wishes. As I have said elsewhere, I am a little disappointed at the loss of some of the manual controls, but the key ones are all there.

I had a good long look at the D7000, and the K5. I like both, but especially the K5 because of the great small Pentax primes.

For the foreseeable future I will stick with M4/3. The primary reason is the quality / size equation. For my output needs (must be able to print large) and must be able to carry the kit with me without feeling a weight burden) the other cameras do not come close.

Yesterday I was on the roof of a 16 story building do a shoot for an engineer. It was a complex job, requiring a lot of detail work, in windy conditions. A lot of clambering around etc.

In a small Tamrac bag I had my GF1, lenspen, 14, 30 and 14-45 lenses, plus some other bits and pieces. The quality of the images was more than adequate, and I had no issues lugging this all over the place.

I start at the end and work back, and consider would a different camera / lens combo get me better results?
 
I have a running review going on here G3 Real World Review
I have learned very quickly, that until the RAW converters update their software, Developing RW2 files need to done on Slikpix supplied raw converter... I tried to convert the raw's to TIFF and develop those in ACDSee Pro 3, BUT, they have to much noise for an odd reason. They are really clean done in Slikpix.

ISO 640, No NR in SlikPix
p675110883-4.jpg
 
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