leadpic_Panasonic_G3
May 13, 2011: Panasonic has released details of a new addition to its G-series mirrorless cameras, the DMC-G3.
Claimed as the smallest and lightest compact system camera with a built-in viewfinder, the G3 is 25% smaller and 9% lighter than the G2 it replaces. Features include a new 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, which is coupled to a Venus Engine FHD image processor. The sensor performance is improved by 6dB at ISO 3200 and by a maximum of 9dB at ISO 6400, resulting in reduces noise at high ISO settings.
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The red version of the new G3. (Source: Panasonic.)
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Front view of the new Panasonic DMC-G3 with 14-42mm kit lens attached and pop-up flash raised. (Source: Panasonic.)
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Rear view of the G3 with the adjustable touch screen opened. (Source: Panasonic.)
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Top view of the G3 showing the mode dial and iAuto button. (Source: Panasonic.)
The G3 boasts a 3-inch adjustable touch screen plus a 1,440,000-dot equivalent LVF (Live View Finder). Video capabilities have been boosted with the addition of Full 1080i HD (1920 x 1080) video recording using the AVCHD format, with stereo soundtracks. You can use any zoom lens while recording movies setting focusing as you would for still images.
The re-engineered Precision Contrast AF System is faster than those in previous models. Touch AF is supported and a new Pinpoint AF allows even more precise focus setting by further enlarging the focusing area. The shutter can also be released at a touch. The popular defocus control function in iA mode is now easily operated with a slider on the touch screen, allowing users to adjust the defocus area for a sharp subject and softly focused background.
A new mechanical shutter achieves four frames per second consecutive shooting at full resolution and the buffer can accommodate up to seven raw files or ‘unlimited’ JPEGs.
The mode dial carries settings for iAuto, Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual modes plus two custom modes, C1 and C2, that photographers can configure for quick access. A new iA Plus mode has been added for adjustment of the defocusing area, exposure compensation and white balance. This mode is available in both photo and video recording.
A new range of Creative Controls replaces the G2’s My Colour mode on the mode dial. Indicated by an artist’s palette, this setting provides five options: Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia and High Dynamic Range. They can be used for both stills and movie recording and support user adjustments. Creative Control settings, which are non-adjustable, include Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, Portrait and Custom.
The Lumix DMC-G3 is scheduled for local release in July and will be on display at the upcoming PMA Imaging & Entertainment Expo in Sydney on the 25 and 26 June. It will be offered in three colours: black, red and white. Pricing and lens kits will be announced closer to the release date. It isn’t listed on Panasonic Australia’s website yet but if you do a Google search on “Panasonic G3” you will find plenty of announcements on overseas websites – plus a few early reviews.
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Camera Type
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Digital interchangeable lens system camera
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Image Sensor
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Live MOS Sensor; Total Megapixels 16.68 / Effective Megapixels 16.0; Primary colour filter
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Image Sensor Size
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17.3 x 13.0 mm (in 4:3 aspect ratio)
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Dust Reduction
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Supersonic wave filter
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Mount
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Micro Four Thirds mount
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Digital Zoom
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2x, 4x (live view only)
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Focus
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Contrast AF system, Focus mode: AFS/ AFC/ MF
AF mode: Face detection / AF Tracking / 23-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing / Pinpoint Touch (1- area-focusing in Face detection / AF Tracking / Multi-area-focusing / 1-area-focusing / Pinpoint)
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AF detective range
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EV 0-18 (ISO100 equivalent)
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Focus Others
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Quick AF, Continuous AF (during motion image recording), AF+MF, Touch shutter, Touch MF Assist
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AF/AE Lock
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Set the Fn button in custom menu to AF / AE lock
Set the Fn button in custom menu to AF / AE lock
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AF Assist Lamp
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Yes
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ISO Sensitivity
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Auto / Intelligent ISO / 160 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600 / 3200 / 6400 (Adjustable in 1/3 EV steps)
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White Balance
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Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Shade / Incandescent / Flash / White Set 1, 2 / Kelvin: 2500-10000K in 100K (Touch operation is possible)
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White Balance Adjustment
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Blue/Amber Bias; Magenta/Green Bias
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White Balance Bracket
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3 exposures in blue/amber axis or in magenta/green axis
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Exposure
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Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
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Exposure Compensation
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1/3EV Step ±5EV
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Auto Bracketing(AE)
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3,5,7 frame, in 1/3, 2/3 or 1 EV Step, ±3 EV
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Light Metering System
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144-zone multi-pattern sensing system
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Light Metering
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Intelligent Multiple / Centre-weighted / Spot
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Metering Range
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EV 0-18 (F2.0 lens, ISO 100)
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Still Image Scene Mode
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Portrait / Soft Skin / Scenery / Architecture / Sports / Peripheral Defocus / Flower / Food / Objects / /Night Portrait / Night Scenery / Illuminations / Baby 1, 2 / Pet / Party / Sunset
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Movie Scene Mode
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Portrait/SoftSkin/Scenery/Architecture/Sports/Flower/Food/Objects/Lowlight/Party/Sunset (Activated by selecting Still Image SCN mode then pressing Movie Button.)
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ShutterSpeed/Shutter System
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Type: Focal-plane shutter; Shutter speed: Still Images: 1/4000~60 and Bulb (up to approx. 120 seconds)
Motion image: 1/16000~1/30 (NTSC), 1/16000~1/25 (PAL)
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Self Timer
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10sec, 3 images/ 2sec / 10sec
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Recording Format
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Still Image: JPEG(DCF, Exif 2.3), RAW, DPOF compatible MPO (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds standard) Motion Image: AVCHD / QuickTime Motion JPEG
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Image Quality
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RAW, RAW+JPEG, Fine, Standard, MPO+Fine, MPO+Standard (with 3D lens in Micro Four Thirds standard)
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4:3 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)
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[4:3] 4592×3448(L)[16M] / 3232×2424(M) [8M] / 2272×1704(S) [4M] / 1824×1368(When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard)
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3:2 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)
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[3:2] 4576×3056(L) [14M] / 3232×2160(M)[7M] / 2272×1520(S)[3.5M] / 1824×1216 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard)
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16:9 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)
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[16:9] 4576×2576(L) [11.5M] / 3232×1824(M) [6M] / 1920×1080(S) [2M] / 1824×1024 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard)
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1:1 Aspect Ratio (Still Image)
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[1:1] 3424 x 3424 (L) [11.5M] / 2416 x 2416 (M) [6M] / 1712 x 1712 (S)[3M] / 1712×1712 (When attaching 3D lens in Micro Four Third System standard)
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Motion Picture Recording 4:3
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Motion JPEG: [4:3] QVGA : 320 x 240, 30fps / VGA : 640 x 480, 30fps
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Motion Picture Recording 16:9
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Motion JPEG: [16:9] WVGA : 848 x 480, 30fps
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Motion Image (AVCHD)
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1920ø—1080, 50i (sensor output is 25p) (FSH:17Mbps)
1280 x 720, 50p (sensor output is 25p) (SH:17Mbps)
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Aspect Ratio
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4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1
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Protection/Erase
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Protection: Single / Multi, Single in Burst Group / Multi in Burst Group, Cancel; Erase: Single / Multi / All / Except Favourite
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Colour Space
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sRGB, Adobe RGB
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Creative control
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(Still & Motion images) Expressive / Retro / High key / Sepia / High Dynamic
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Photo style
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Colour: Standard / Vivid / Natural / Monochrome / Scenery / Portrait / Custom
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Extra Tele Conversion
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Still image: Max.2x (Not effective with L size recording. Magnification ratio depends on the recording pixels and aspect ratio.)
Motion image: Max.4.8x (Magnification ratio depends on the recording quality and aspect ratio.)
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Other Functions
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Guide Lines (3 patterns)/Real-time Histogram (Live View)
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Playback Mode
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Normal playback, 30-thumbnail display, 12-thumbnail display, Calendar display, Zoomed playback (16x Max.), Slideshow (duration & effect is selectable)
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Recording Media
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SD memory card, SDHC memory card, SDXC memory card
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Microphone
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Stereo, Wind-cut: Off / Low / Standard / High
Microphone level adjustable: Lv1 / Lv2 / Lv3 / Lv4
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Speaker
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Monaural
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HDMI
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miniHDMI TypeC; Video: Auto / 1080i / 720p / 480p
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo Creator
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Direct Print
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PictBridge compatible (Print size, Layout, Date setting is selectable)
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Power
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ID-Security Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 1010mAh) (Included) Battery Charger; CIPA rated for Approx. 270 images (with LCD / LVF)
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Built-in-Flash
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TTL Built-in-Flash, GN10.5 equivalent (ISO 160/m): Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off modes; synch speed: 1/160 second
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Flash Output Adjustment
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1/3EV Step ±2EV
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Flash Synchronization
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1st. Curtain Sync. , 2nd Curtain Sync.
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Hot shoe
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TTL Auto with FL220/FL360/FL500 (Optional)
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Included Software
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PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition; SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE; Super LoiLoScope (trial version), USB Driver
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Standard Accessories
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Battery Charger, Battery Pack, Body Cap,AV Cable, USB Connection Cable, Shoulder Strap, Stylus pen, CD-ROM
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Additional Playback Mode
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Playback Mode (Normal/Picture/AVCHD/Motion JPEG/3D Play/Category/Favorite), Title Edit, Text Stamp, Video Divide, Resize, Cropping, Aspect Conversion, Rotate, Rotate Display, Favorite, Print Set, Protect, Face Rec Edit
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Remote Control
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Remote control with bulb function by DMW-RSL1 (Optional)
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Continuous recordable time (Motion images)
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AVCHD with picture quality set to [FSH]: Approx. 110 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 100 min with H-FS045200
Motion JPEG with picture quality set to [HD]: Approx. 120 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 110 min with H-FS045200
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Actual recordable time (Motion images)
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AVCHD with picture quality set to [FSH]: Approx. 55 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 50 min with H-FS045200
Motion Jpeg with picture quality set to [HD]: Approx. 60 min with H-FS014042 / Approx. 55 min with H-FS045200
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Burst Speed
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SH: 20 frames/sec(4M), H: 4 frames/sec, M: 3 frames/sec (with Live View), L: 2 frames/sec (with Live View)
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Buffer capacity
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7 images (RAW files); Unlimited for JPEGs
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USB
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USB 2.0 High Speed
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Dimensions (W x H x D)
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115.2 x 83.6 x 46.7 mm
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Weight
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Body only: 336 grams; Approx. 544 grams with SD card, Battery, 14-42mm lens
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