Panasonic Lumix Gh3

[HansVilder]

a new mirrorless 4/3 camera from Panasonic was announced at Photokina a couple of weeks ago..

it looks amazing, but at £1500/70k+ thb for the body only will it be worth it? i feel it may well be... especially for the videographer.

any thoughts..?

[Tywais]

I have the GH2 and the videos are outstanding. The GH3 I understand now supports 70Mbps though I can hack my GH2 to equal or better that. You can see results from my GH2 on my youtube channel, same name as my nick. All the ones marked HD are from the GH2.

The price is on the heavy side and not sure why. I paid 30,000 Baht for body/kit lens but ordered from BH Photo as they wanted 60,000 Baht here for the same kit.

[sbk]

Nice, does that include a zooms lens Tywais? A friend of mine has the panasonic gh2 and loves it.

[Tywais]

Nice, does that include a zooms lens Tywais? A friend of mine has the panasonic gh2 and loves it.

I have several lenses for it including a 14-140mm zoom which equates to 35mm camera as 28-280. It has an internal feature that is called crop feature which expands that lens 2.6 times to 72mm-728mm. Also a 300mm lens (600mm 35mm equivalent) and 2.6 x = 1560. So lots of flexibility.

[HansVilder]

The GH3 I understand now supports 70Mbps though I can hack my GH2 to equal or better that.

the buzz surrounding the GH3 among other forums today is.. amazing as it already is on paper, wait til the hacks appear.. some 'silly' Mbps numbers are being mentioned. It could well be the future of prosumer filmaking.

one thing is for sure.. the clunking, mechanical (shutter life) DSLR's are now facing a brick wall.

[sbk]

Nice, does that include a zooms lens Tywais? A friend of mine has the panasonic gh2 and loves it.

I have several lenses for it including a 14-140mm zoom which equates to 35mm camera as 28-280. It has an internal feature that is called crop feature which expands that lens 2.6 times to 72mm-728mm. Also a 300mm lens (600mm 35mm equivalent) and 2.6 x = 1560. So lots of flexibility.

those were included in the kit? or you got them extra?

Its just my friend is thinking of buying a new camera and if so will sell me his at a decent price but am wondering about the lens, they seem pricey.

The GH3 looks way beyond my feeble capacity!

[HansVilder]

a very interesting new feature with the GH3 is the WiFi direct streaming through a smartphone. Basically you set up the camera where you want, then retreat far away from it and operate it from the seclusion of a 'hide' via your android phone... wildlife? surveillance? possibilities are endless....

[Tywais]

Nice, does that include a zooms lens Tywais? A friend of mine has the panasonic gh2 and loves it.

I have several lenses for it including a 14-140mm zoom which equates to 35mm camera as 28-280. It has an internal feature that is called crop feature which expands that lens 2.6 times to 72mm-728mm. Also a 300mm lens (600mm 35mm equivalent) and 2.6 x = 1560. So lots of flexibility.

those were included in the kit? or you got them extra?

The 30,000 got me the GH2 and the 14-140mm zoom kit lens which is designed for video production as it has a silent focus motor. The others I added. Just looked at the B&H Photo site and that GH2 set is no longer available so looks like they're gearing up for the GH3. As I mentioned, the Thai sites listed the same kit at 60,000 Baht.

[Tywais]

a very interesting new feature with the GH3 is the WiFi direct streaming through a smartphone.

I saw the GH3 earlier today on a tech site and found the WiFi interesting but probably of minimal use to the average user. As I said, can't figure why the pricing is that high for body only.

[HansVilder]

As I said, can't figure why the pricing is that high for body only.

magnesium alloy construction, water/dustproof, ability to now shoot in MP4 & .MOV as well as AVCHD (anyone familiar with AVCHD when it comes to editing video will know/appreciate/welcome that)

also it's much more heftier in size/design (really looks like a DSLR) and the new battery grip looks to be a winner too..

early days yet though.. once more reviews surface on YT etc.. then we'll know its true potential. But as it stands, it appears superior to anything currently available.

[FracturedRabbit]

Hopefully it will succeed the GH2 as the best camera for video. But its size and price means it is not really aimed at stills photographers. Hopefully Panasonic has something in the pipeline as a competitor to the Olympus EM-5.

[KillingTime]

I'm thinking of trading in my 5D mkii for this camera. I'm mainly a video guy and the 5D is too stills oriented. Anyone know what the Thai price is for the body + 14-140 kit lens combo? Also, do you think i'd be better off trying to sell the 5d privately here in Bangkok, or could i find a shop (in MBK perhaps) that would do some kind of exchange?

Another thing. Did those who bought their cameras from US outlets like BHphoto not get hammered by Thai Customs?

Finally, the GH2 looks like an amazing deal now, and there's always something to be said for investing in glass and keeping the camera prices low. The GH4 will be here before we know it, but good glass holds its value (especially if you buy mint condition second hand). Having said that, the price is not extravagant when you consider this thing will shoot to BBC broadcast standards in camera.

[krisb]

Id say the Samsung nx1000 is better, also mirrorless, 1080p video, and at $400 is much better price. Check out the Thai review.

Edited January 17, 2013 by krisb

[KillingTime]

Krisb

There is no comparison between the Samsung and the Panasonic. One is the most advanced DSLR style video tool on the market, that shoots in a BBC approved codec, and is used by documentary and low budget film makers. The other is decent point and shoot that has a video function.

I'm sure it's a nice camera, but the GH3 is in another league (and price point) to the Samsung.