Panasonic unveiled its latest GH-series camera, the DMC-GH3, along with a fast f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens, on the opening day of Photokina 2012.
The new Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3. (Source: Panasonic.)
Replacing the popular GH2, the new camera features a dust- and splash-proof magnesium alloy body with a new control layout that has three dials on the front and back as well as single-function buttons. Other key features include a new 16.05-megapixel Live MOS sensor and the latest Venus 7 FHD three-core image processor. Only two aspect ratios are supported: 3:2 and 16:9 but Panasonic has followed Canon’s lead by offering All-I or IPB compression for video recordings. It also uses the popular MOV video format with H.264 compression as well as AVCHD and time-coding is available in both formats. Both 60i and 30p recording modes are supported. A 3.5 mm jack is provided for fitting external microphones, along with a headphone jack for monitoring recordings.
The GH3 also gains a new EVF featuring OLED technology. It has a resolution of 1.7 million dots and a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is ideal for movie shooting. The camera’s monitor is a 3-inch OLED touch screen with 614,000 dots. Panasonic claims improvements to this screen produce smoother viewing of moving subjects.
The native sensitivity range for the new camera is ISO 200 to ISO 12,800, although this can be extended to ISO 125 and ISO 25600. Continuous shooting is supported at up to six frames/second. Recording modes include HDR and multiple exposures and the GH3 includes Wi-Fi connectivity. Panasonic plans to release apps to support image transfer and remote triggering to iOS and Android devices. Four channel wireless control is available for the optional DMW-FL360L flash-gun.
The new Lumix G X Vario 35- 100mm f/2.8 POWER O.I.S. (H-HS35100) lens also features dust- and splash-proof construction and covers angles of view equivalent to 70-200mm in 35mm format. Constructed from 18 elements in 13 groups, this lens includes one UED (Ultra Extra-Low Dispersion) element and two 2 ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) elements to minimise common aberrations plus Nano Surface Coating to minimise ghosting and flare. Internal focusing maintains a constant barrel length and a stepping motor makes the focusing action smooth and silent for use in both photo and video recording. Seven blades give the aperture a rounded shape for attractive bokeh.
The DMC-GH3 will be available in Australia in January 2013, with pricing and lens kits to be announced closer to the release date. The Lumix G X Vario 35- 100mm f/2.8 POWER O.I.S. lens is scheduled for release in Australia in December 2012. Pricing will be available closer to the release date. Details of both products are available at http://www.panasonic.com.au/Products/Lumix/Overview
