Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

 The G3 is Panasonic's latest and smallest interchangeable lens camera (ILC), succeeding the G2. While it's targeted towards users who are looking for a compact alternative to a digital SLR, this camera looks like a mutated cousin of the GF2 and the G2, thanks to the half-grip.

It's also the first of the G-series cameras to pack a 16-megapixel Live MOS sensor, a considerable resolution bump from the previous 12-megapixel variants. Carrying over from the G2, it also has an articulating touchscreen at the back and shoots in 1080i HD video, AVCHD format. Continuous shooting is 4 frames per second, increased to 20 when a reduced 4-megapixel resolution mode is activated. The G3 also has an electronic viewfinder and a pop-up flash.

Unfortunately, the screen hasn't seen a significant bump in resolution (it's 460,000-dots) though there's been work on refining the touch AF system used on the G2. This includes a new mode called Pinpoint AF, which gives even more precise focusing ability; the example that Panasonic gives is being able to select focus in a pupil of an eye. There's the usual face-detection modes and touch-to-focus modes, too.


Specifications:

Body type SLR-style mirrorless

SENSOR:
Max resolution 4592 x 3448
Image ratio w:h 1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels 15.8 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors 16.6 megapixels
Sensor size Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor type CMOS ?
Processor Venus Engine HD II

IMAGE:
ISO Auto, Intelligent ISO, 160, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400
White balance presets 5
Custom white balance Yes (2)
Image stabilization Optical
Uncompressed format RAW
JPEG quality levels Fine, Standard

Optics & Focus:
Autofocus Contrast Detect (sensor), Multi-area, Selective single-point, Tracking, Single, Continuous, Touch, Face Detection, Live View
Digital zoom Yes (4x)
Manual focus Yes
Lens mount Micro 4/3 Lens Mount
Focal length multiplier 2×

Screen / viewfinder:
Articulated LCD Fully articulated
Screen size 3"
Screen dots 460,000
Touch screen Yes
Live view Yes
Viewfinder type Electronic
Viewfinder coverage 100 %
Viewfinder magnification 1.4×

Photography features:
Minimum shutter speed 60 sec
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 sec
Aperture priority Yes
Shutter priority Yes
Manual exposure mode Yes
Subject / scene modes Yes
Built-in flash Yes (Pop-up)
Flash range 11 m
External flash Yes (Hot-shoe)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Continuous drive Yes (4, 3 or 2 fps) ?
Self-timer Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Metering modes Multi, Center-weighted, Spot
Exposure compensation ±5 EV (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing ±2 (3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV steps)
WB Bracketing Yes (3 frames in either blue/amber or magenta/green axis)

Videography features:
Format AVCHD
Audio channels Stereo
Clips Yes (1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)))
HD Modes 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
FPS 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))

Storage:
Storage types SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage included None

Connectivity:
USB USB 2.0 (480Mbit/sec)
HDMI Yes (Mini HDMI Type C)
Wireless None ?
Remote control Yes (Optional DMW-RSL1)

Physical:
Environmentally sealed No
Battery Battery Pack
Battery description Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery & charger
Weight (inc. batteries) 544 g (1.20 lb / 19.19 oz)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47 mm (4.53 x 3.31 x 1.85")

Other features:
Orientation sensor Yes
Timelapse recording No
GPS None
Notes Weight inc. 14-42mm lens