Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3

Preview based on a pre-production DMC-GH3

NOTE: The grip material on the unit used for this preview was not final.

Since the introduction of the Lumix DMC-GH1 back in 2009, the GH-series' place in Panasonic's Lumix lineup has been clear; a flagship stills and video model designed for enthusiasts who demand a well-handling, responsive and customizable camera with all the latest technology the company has to offer. The goal was to show that a camera did not need to be the size of a DSLR to perform like one. The enthusiastic and largely unanticipated response to the GH2's movie capabilities by working videographers (Google 'GH2 video hack' to get an idea for how keenly its capabilities are being exploited) has meant that Panasonic must now also consider that its camera is being integrated into professional video rigs.

With the announcement of the , the quest to offer a smaller-than-a-DSLR alternative has shifted noticeably to one that seeks to maintain its appeal to video professionals and stills photographers for whom small size is easily trumped by accessible manual camera controls, expandability and durability. If that sounds like a description of a DSLR user, we suspect it does to Panasonic as well. The GH3 is the company's largest Micro Four Thirds camera yet, with dimensions that essentially match those of the APS-C Sony SLT-A65.

The GH3 gains a weather sealed (dust/splash proof) magnesium alloy body which now gives Panasonic a camera body to match their moisture- and dust-sealed G X Vario 12-35mm F2.8 ASPH lens and G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH fast zooms. Additional highlights include 6 fps shooting (or 4fps with live view) and five customizable function buttons. While the camera's still image resolution remains at 16MP, the GH3 has a new Live MOS sensor, three-core Venus 7 FHD processing engine and a new low pass filter. Panasonic claims improvements in high ISO shadow detail, color reproduction and white balance over its predecessor. The GH3 also offers in-camera HDR and multiple exposure image modes, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity that Panasonic hopes to leverage with its own (as yet unreleased) remote triggering and image transfer apps for iOS and Android phones. One thing the GH3 loses, however, is the multi-aspect ratio sensor size found on its predecessor, with 3:2 and 16:9 format images being a crop from the camera's 4:3 ratio chip.

There are pro-focused additions to the GH3's video capabilities, with timecode-supported broadcast quality video that is capable of bit rates as high as 72Mbps. Video pros may want to re-read that last bit. Only the US $3500 Canon EOS 5D Mark III offers higher bit rates and Panasonic suggests its compression might offer better quality. The GH3 gains the ability to shoot in MOV (h.264) format, freeing it from the restrictive frame- and bit-rates laid out in the AVCHD standard. This means the camera can capture files natively as 30p, as well as 60i. There is also the choice of All-I or IPB compression (more of which later in the preview), which Panasonic is hoping will further endear it to videographers currently using GH2s.

The GH3's new EVF is a 1.7 million dot OLED panel with a 16:9 ratio of 873 x 500 pixels. Panasonic lists a robust 1.34x magnification (equivalent to 0.67x on a full frame SLR) ,and says that because information is transmitted to the panel 8x faster than the GH2, the onscreen image will remain smooth and natural even while panning quickly across a scene. The rear display panel is a 3" 614k dot resolution OLED unit that, like that of its predecessor, is touch-sensitive. For both stills and video shooters looking to extend the camera's abilities, the GH3 offers a 3.5mm mic input (GH2 users had to resort to a 2.5 - 3.5mm adapter), headphone jack, PC sync socket and a new optional battery grip that attaches to base plate providing the option for additional power.

key features 16MP Live MOS sensor with three-core Venus 7 FHD engine Magnesium alloy body with weather sealing (dust and splash proof) 1.7 million dot 16:9 ratio OLED viewfinder ISO 200-12800 (extended range of ISO 125-25600) 6 fps continuous shooting AF speed of .07 seconds 614k dot 3" OLED rear screen Full HD 60p/50p video with 30p/25p option MOV (h.264), MP4 and AVCHD formats Video bit rates of 50Mbps in IPB and 72Mbps in All-I compression modes Timecode support in MOV(H.264) and AVCHD formats 3.5mm mic socket and headphone socket Four channel wireless control for the optional DMW-FL360L external flash PC socket iOS and Android app control via Wi-FiKey differences from the DMC-GH2 Improved sensor and latest Venus image processor Weather sealed magnesium alloy body OLED EVF and rear display (versus LCD) 60p video capture (versus 60i /30p) 72Mbps bit rate maximum (versus 24Mbps) 3.5mm mic socket (rather than 2.5mm) Headphone socket 6 fps continuous shooting (versus 5) Five custom Fn buttons (versus three) and a second control dial Compatible with new DMW-BGGH3 battery grip PC socket for external flash Interval shooting HDR and multiple exposure modesCompared to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

With the GH2 having gained such a strong following among enthusiasts and videographers, Panasonic has clearly prioritized external controls and accessory compatibility. As such, the GH3 is a noticeably more bulky camera than its predecessor, comparable in size to the Sony SLT-A57. As you'll see in the image below, control points have been redesigned and much of the camera's layout has been re-adjusted for the larger body.

Note that this pre-production unit of the GH3 is not a cosmetically-finished version.

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