So does the GF3 have what it takes to keep Panasonic top of the compact system pile? Let’s take a closer look and find out.

Panasonic DMC-GF3 Review - Digital Photography Review

The AF point can be selected with a press of the finger on the screen and, with the exception of the 23-Area AF option, the active AF area extends right to the edges of the image frame. Exposure modes Full HD] 1920×1080, 60i (sensor output is 30p) (FSH:17Mbps) / [HD] 1280 x 720, 60p (sensor output is 30p)?SH:17Mbps) PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition / SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE / Super LoiloScope (trial version) / USB DriverPneumatic wheels Tractor 4.00-8 (fixed disks), 4.00-10 (adjustable disks), 5.00-10 (adjustable disks). Pneumatic Turf wheels 20x10.00-8 DMC-GF3 | PRODUCTS | LUMIX | Digital Camera | Panasonic Global". Archived from the original on 27 August 2011 . Retrieved 26 August 2011. One of the GF3's main innovations is its touchscreen interface, with a revamped GUI that's easy on the eye. Panasonic have wisely restricted the amount of things that you can do by interacting with the screen, and indeed you can still operate most things on the camera without having to push and prod the LCD at all. But you would be missing out on a lot of genuinely useful functionality that really improves the shooting experience. The handlebar is laterally adjustable for use on slopes and height adjustable to meet all user requirements. It is also reversible and can be lowered to considerably reduce the machine’s size.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 - Wikipedia Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 - Wikipedia

The GF3 is supplied with a Robin Subaru EX27 OHC petrol engine of 8.3 HP or with the Lombardini 15LD350 diesel engine of 7.5 HP. Archived copy". Archived from the original on 23 February 2012 . Retrieved 26 August 2011. {{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ( link) It’s not only the GF3’s weight and proportions that have diminished. The rear thumb wheel has gone as have the hot shoe and electronic viewfinder port, while the earlier stereo mics have been replaced with a mono one. There are some gains too though, with Photo Style presets introduced on the G3 and Creative Control effects reminiscent of the Olympus Pen’s Art modes. The oil bath action reduces maintenance and makes the cutter bar ideal for intensive and demanding work. Turning now to performance, we found that the light-speed AF system the GF3 inherits from the G3 to be every bit as fast as claimed. It’s especially useful when combined with the Touch AF function that allows you to select your point of focus simply by touching it on the LCD screen. You can even take this process one step further by using Touch Shutter to instantly take a picture, again simply by touching the point of focus on the screen.HOWEVER. If you plan on attaching an external flash, the GF2 has a hotshoe, the GF3 does not. Since I do not use external flash with this camera, it made no difference for me, but it might well for you..... Being a compact system camera, the GF3 uses a contrast detection auto focus (AF) system, which draws information from the imaging sensor rather than a dedicated phase detection unit. Traditionally, contrast detection systems are slower than phase detection devices, but Panasonic has put a lot of work in on this and the GF3 is claimed to focus in just 0.18 sec (approx) with the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm f/4.0-5.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. lens mounted. With the arrival of the GF3, Panasonic further solidifies the distinctions between its existing G-series lineup. The enthusiast-targeted rangefinder aesthetic heralded by the introduction of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 appears for the moment to have given way to a new directive; producing the smallest, lightest G-series camera possible. The move towards smaller, lighter large-sensor cameras with fewer external controls is not limited to Panasonic of course, as both Olympus and Sony are also courting the mass market aggressively. Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 April 2012 . Retrieved 26 August 2011. {{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ( link) The top of the GF3 has a microphone, monoaural speaker, cleverly designed built-in pop-up flash, dedicated button for the Intelligent Auto mode which lights blue when turned on, tactile shutter button, on/off switch, and a one-touch movie button. The Panasonic GF3 has a dedicated button for opening the cleverly designed pop-up flash. Given the small size of the GF3, fitting a built-in flash was no mean feat, as proven by the double-hinged design which is quite a technical achievement. Although not particularly powerful with a guide number of just 6.3, the GF3's flash is perfectly adequate for fill-in effects at close-quarters.

Panasonic DMC-GF3 Review - Digital Photography Review Panasonic DMC-GF3 Review - Digital Photography Review

Helpfully, there is a dedicated iA+ button on the G3's top-plate and pressing this in any exposure mode switches to Intelligent Auto plus. Colour control The Panasonic DMC-GF3 uses a resistive touchscreen to provide mode selections, and as such that there is not a mode dial on the camera. Many features are no longer controlled by dials and buttons and wheels, but via the 3-inch touchscreen (460k- dot) at the rear of the unit. [3] a b c "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 May 2012 . Retrieved 26 August 2011. {{ cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title ( link) With all the Panasonic cameras I've owned, I've never mounted a hot-shoe flash. The times I use flash are on umbrellas which can be fired with either wireless triggers or I suppose you could slave a flash and fire it from the hot-shoe flash, but I haven't tried this so I don't know if it works.Intelligent Auto plus (iA+) mode also determines whether to activate the MEGA O.I.S (Optical Image Stabilising) and Intelligent ISO Control. Intelligent ISO Control reduces motion blur by increasing the sensitivity if the subject moves. . Which Control do you like better? BIG BUTTONS + Separate Control Dial makes fast shooting easier. The buttons are far apart that you don't hit surrounding buttons. The problem with GF3 is that