Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 review

• 15.8-million-pixel Live MOS sensor
• ISO 160–6400
• 3in articulated LCD touchscreen
• Small body
• 1.44-million-dot EVF
• 4fps shooting rate
• Pinpoint AF
• 1920x1080 HD video with AF tracking
• Street price around £620 with 14-42mm kit lens

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 review - Introduction

It has been just over a year since Panasonic launched the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, the first of the company’s second-generation micro four thirds cameras. This model was notable for refinements such as the introduction of a touch-sensitive screen, but the most significant leap forward for the micro four thirds system came last September with the release of the top-of-the-range GH2. In the GH2, Panasonic had for the first time fitted a sensor with a 16.05-million-pixel resolution rather than its usual 12-million-pixel unit.

Now the company has brought out the first of its third-generation micro four thirds cameras, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3. Although aimed at entry-level photographers, among its features is a sensor capable of producing 15.8-million-pixel images at a shooting rate of 4fps, as well as an improved contrast-detection AF system. All these features have been packed into a body smaller than we have previously seen from a DSLR-style G-series camera.

By including the improved AF from the GH2, and increasing the image resolution and shooting rate, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 looks to have raised the bar for entry-level micro four thirds-system cameras. So, with these factors in mind, I wanted to see how the G3 performed, particularly when shooting moving subjects such as wildlife. In the past, the slower contrast-detection AF of compact system cameras has made this difficult to carry out successfully, but the new G3’s AF system and faster frame rate should help make this more feasible.