Hasta La Gadget!

It took a year and a half for Panasonic to add the GF2 to the wonderful (big) pocket-sized GF1 mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera. Now, just five months later, we have another one — the GF3. This camera is even smaller and feature lacking than the already cut down GF2, showing that Panasonic is clearly taking this line down to the consumer level.

The camera still has a 12MP sensor, just like its two older (and smarter) brothers. It combines this with a new processor (the Venus Engine found in the bigger GH2 and G3) which allows faster auto focus and generally makes the camera snappier. It also gets some new “Photo Styles” and a new filter called miniature, aka tilt-shift, and focus-tracking when shooting video.

Much bigger is the list of what the camera has lost. Minimum ISO climbs from 100 to 160, the rear click dial has gone, as has the stereo mic of the GF2. The flash is now top center, but the hotshoe has gone, meaning you can’t add an accessory viewfinder or a flash.

For those stepping up from a compact camera the fast response, big sensor and interchangeable lenses will be a huge difference, and many will buy this instead of an SLR. For enthusiasts who loved the GF1, it looks like the end of the GF line in terms of them being useful cameras. Thankfully, all those Micro Four Thirds lenses you bought can be used on Olympus’ Pen EP series cameras, which seem to be taking things a little more seriously.

The GF3 will be on sale in July with the slow and wide 14mm ƒ2.5 pancake lens ($700), and in August with the 14-42mm ƒ3.5-5.6 kit lens ($600).

Panasonic GF3 product page [Panasonic]

See Also:

• A Month With the Lumix GF1, And Why I No Longer Use The Nikon D700 …
• Hands-On With Panasonic's Leica-Lite GF1
• Panasonic Falters With Button-Light Lumix GF2

Last week, we caught a glimpse of the Lumix DMC-GF3, a new addition to Panasonic’s ever-growing family of Micro Four Thirds shooters. Turns out, the camera we spied in that YouTube video was legit: the company just made it official and yes, it’s missing a hot shoe. Available in four colors with 12.1 megapixel resolution, it uses Panny’s latest imaging processor, shoots 1080i AVCHD video, and has a 3-inch touchscreen, ISO range of 160 to 6400, and the usual array of intelligent Auto enhancements. Unlike the GF2 — which isn’t going anywhere, by the way — it’s designed with the greenest of novices in mind, which means it forgoes things experienced photogs might like, such as a hot shoe and viewfinder. This one has a mono, not stereo mic, and swaps in a simple scroll wheel on the back side. Panasonic also rejiggered the touch UI to make certain settings easier to find, and added a miniature art filter — already a staple on Olympus’ PEN series. Oh, and as a beginner-friendly camera, it looks more like a point-and-shoot than a DSLR — it’s 15 percent lighter than the GF2, and 17 percent smaller.

The GF3 will be available in July for $699 with a 14mm lens, to be followed in late August by a $599 kit that comes with a 14-42mm lens. In the meantime, head on past the break and check out our impressions after spending a few minutes with a not-final unit and a 14mm lens. We only got to play with it in a fluorescent conference room, alas, but hopefully our handful of test shots will give you a taste of what you can do with the depth of field should you spring for the higher-end of the two kits.

Continue reading Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 official: 12.1 MP, 1080i video, no hot shoe in sight (hands-on)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 official: 12.1 MP, 1080i video, no hot shoe in sight (hands-on) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 01:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you’re still wondering if Panasonic’s mirrorless Lumix GH2 is worth your $900, we’ve rounded up a handful of reviews to provide a pointer for your next big purchase. While most reviewers agree that this Micro Four Thirds camera appears to be very similar to its predecessor, they universally praise the subtly improved ergonomics, speedy liveview autofocusing, and refined image quality, especially with its 1080p AVCHD video recording (although Digital Camera Resource Page did notice some artifacting in its clips). Noise is also a non-issue up to about ISO 800 or 1600, though it’s apparent that the 16 megapixel stills are comparatively dull and, like those from many other MFTs, aren’t quite on par with DSLRs — expect plenty of manual processing work here, as demoed by the good folks over at Digital Photography Review. All in all, the GH2 is a great kit for high quality video capturing, bundled with a pretty good still performance that requires some extra TLC afterwards — kinda ironic in a way, but hey, this isn’t a problem for lovers of video bokeh. Head over to the links below for some in-depth analysis and walk-through before you leave a small dent on your bank account.

Read – Digital Photography Review
Read – Photography Blog
Read – Camera Labs
Read – Digital Camera Resource Page
Read – Let’s Go Digital

Panasonic Lumix GH2 review roundup: impressive video recording, murky still images originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 16:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’re drowning in interchangeable lens options, but that’s far from being a bad thing. For those that finally caved and picked up Panasonic’s Lumix DFC-GF2, we’re interested to see how you’d change things if given that golden opportunity. Are you satisfied with the size, weight and design? How’s the low-light performance? Would you alter anything about the lens selection? Introduce a version that changes colors with the seasons? Go on and get creative in comments below — the GF3 needs some ideas, you know?

How would you change Panasonic’s Lumix DFC-GF2? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 23:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Today is the day that budget-minded Panasonic lovers have been waiting for, when the company finally announces what it’s going to charge domestically for the Lumix GF2 and a suite of other models it’s announced in the past months. The Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens GF2 will ship this month for an MSRP of $499.95, body alone. If you want the new 14 – 42mm GF2K lens you’ll be looking at $599.95, the 14mm prime GF2C lens will cost $699.95, while the 12.5mm/F12 Lumix G, which captures pictures in 3D, is a relative bargain at $259.95. Pansonic also unleashed a flurry of MSRPs for other Lumix compact models unveiled at CES, with the FP5 and FP7 costing $200 and $230 respectively, the FH2 and FH5 priced at $140 and $150. More details and numbers in the pair of PR after the break.

Continue reading Panasonic announces Lumix GF2 pricing and availability, plenty of other models too

Panasonic announces Lumix GF2 pricing and availability, plenty of other models too originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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