Panasonic systematically relies on models without a mirror in its system cameras. While in the United States the GF-line scores in a compact camera signal without a fixed viewfinder, in the United States most Lumix buyers to the G line with integrated electronic viewfinder in the classic SLR design. With 115_x_84_x_47 mm, the new Lumix DMC-G3 is around 25 percent more compact than its predecessor G2, which continues as an entry model. And despite the high-quality new housing made of aluminum, it weighs just 340 g.
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Obviously the developers on the G line have screwed properly: externally, the operating concept seems reduced despite electronic viewfinder, pop-up flash and folding monitor with Tough-Screen. Inside, the new 16 megapixel CMOS sensor from the GH2 in the Micro Four Thirds format (17.2 x 13.0 mm) was installed. Together with the updated Venus Engine FHD, the Japanese manufacturer promises a better picture quality with less noise, more sharpness and detail drawing. Focusing times of up to 0.1 s should also be included. The autofocus control via touch screen is known from the G2: It is enough to tap the camera with a fingertip to focus on the camera and to trigger it as an option. New is the point AF mode. This allows the photographer to focus on the smallest details, such as an eye pupil, with the entire image available. An AF tracking function (AF-Tracking) focuses on moving subjects in the picture and is available in both photo and video mode.
Operation The ease of operation earns points: On the one hand, the G3 is secure in the hand. The handle is no longer so generous, but thanks to its ergonomic shape and rubberized coating, and the low weight of the camera, it is a good fit.
On the other hand it scores with a clear menu, large readable text and many help texts. Compared to the G2, it has strikingly few control elements, but more possibilities for the individual key assignment: The second rotary wheel in the upper left no longer exists. Similarly, the now 17 motif programs are no longer accessible via the rotary wheel for exposure modes, but via the four-way switch. New is a second "Custom" function and two assignable "Fn" buttons. In addition to the auto-functions, the depth of focus, exposure and the white balance can be adjusted via touchscreen.
The three-inch turn-up and turnable fold-up monitor reacts reliably and quickly, so that the alternative touch control benefits. The resolution is with contemporary 153_333 RGB pixels.
100 percent image display and 16-fold magnifying function enable detailed image control. The display quality is convincing: in darkened rooms, the preview remains low-noise, in relatively bright daylight. If the G2 had a comfortable eye sensor to switch from the live view to the viewfinder, the G3 has a small button to the left of the viewfinder. This has already been convincing at the G2: It offers a high resolution with 480000 RGB pixels, 100% image coverage, an effective magnification of 0.7x and displays all shooting parameters if desired.
The Panasonic G3 is a full-HD video recording (1920 x 1080 pixels) in the space-saving AVCHD format (optional Motion JPEG), the audio recording is done In stereo. Instead of manual aperture selection, the "iA" and "iA +" functions are now available in the video mode. Also supported are AF tracking and continuous focus, which works with the kit lens quite properly and may be hurting with low-contrast subjects.
Autofocus and SpeedFor automatic focusing, the G3 works with contrast measurement on the image sensor, which takes into account 23 measurement points. In principle, this provides a higher focusing accuracy than the phase detection systems of classical SLRs. The G3 autofocus works reliably and achieves good values between G2 and GF2 in the laboratory measurements: in good light conditions (1000 lux), our test model made 0.32 s, while at 30 lux it needed 0.42 s for focusing and triggering. The switch-on delay is 0.8 s, the image series is 3.5 fps - these are both considerable values.
Image quality In terms of image quality, the G3 with its 16 megapixel sensor sets new standards in the system cameras without mirrors and toppt by very high, constant values even the higher GH2 to settle. The resolution reached 1590 LP / BH at ISO 100 and remained above the Overall measuring range surprisingly well preserved. Even with ISO 6400 there were still 1549 LP / BH in it. The noise response has a visual noise of 0.8 in a moderate range and increases to 1.4 / 2.0 at ISO 1600/6400, with less color noise than brightness. The loss of texture is low with a maximum of 0.5 to ISO 1600, only at higher ISO levels does the fine-tuning as a consequence of the internal noise filter reduce significantly: At ISO 3200 the image impression tilts almost because Panasonic then suppresses the noise much more aggressively and edges. In addition, the values for the object contrast, which is too small with a maximum of 8.3 to 7 apertures, are also below our expectations.
Conclusion With the new Lumix DMC-G3, Panasonic is able to secure itself in the entrance segment of mirrorless system cameras: The G3 is currently the smallest and lightest camera with an interchangeable optics, high resolution electronic viewfinder, flexible folding monitor and 16 megapixel resolution sensor. The operating concept is simple, plus many individualizable key and menu functions and a convincing (autofocus) control via touchscreen. Up to date, the G3 is also equipped with improved video function in Full HD, AF support and auto modes. The resolutions and the image quality are convincing with well-usable results up to ISO 1600. The autofocus works quickly and reliably.
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
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