Panasonic G3

For the last three years, Panasonic has been producing mirrorless cameras - or as they like to call them, compact system cameras.

In an attempt to appeal to different segments of the market, they have created four series, the G, the GH, the GF, and recently, the GX.

Some like the G and the GH provide built-in viewfinders and are targeted more to the high-end enthusiasts. The GF and GX series are perhaps a natural upgrade for point and shoot camera owners.

But as the models leapfrog each other from generation to generation, they borrow features and their differences become less defined.

For this shootout, I picked the G3, because it is one of Panasonic's most recent models and it compares well with the other cameras in the roundup.

The Good, the Bad and the So-so

Physically, the G3 supplies all of the items that I desire on a camera, a mode thumb wheel (PASM) on the top, a hot shoe, a pop up flash, a hand grip (though it could be larger), a fully articulating LCD screen, and (please and thank you) a dedicated viewfinder.

For those photographers, like me, who grew up handling a big SLR and are ready for a lighter weight mirrorless model, I think that the G3 would make a great transition camera. The body of this Panasonic is under 12 ounces, but it still feels like a real camera and not a cellphone with a lens attached.

Yes, like many new digital cameras, the G3 contains multiple menus full of unending features that many of you will never use.

But the Panasonic designers at least made sure that the basic camera operations are at your fingertips and are not buried under three layers of sub-menus.

I found that I could take this camera out of the box and start shooting without reading the 200 page manual or pulling my hair out trying to find where to select the exposure modes - the wheel is right there on the top of the camera.

Just as importantly, the G3's image quality is quite good.

If you are stepping up from a point and shoot camera you will be pleased by the improvement produced by the combination of the larger Four Thirds sensor and the superior optics of the lenses that you can attach to this camera.

If you are coming from a larger sensor DSLR, you may wish that the images were less noisy when shot in low light. But the noise doesn't become a real nuisance until ISOs go over 800, which really is not any different than many older DSLR models.

In this PhotoScope comparison of the Panasonic G3 and the Sony NEX-5N, the ISO is set to 1600. You can see how the detail on the G3 image cannot match our top dog, the 5N. You can cycle through lower ISO settings to discover if the G3 fares better.

Speaking of shooting in low light situations, I was not satisfied with how inconsistent the auto focus worked in late afternoon conditions. Too often, the camera couldn't find and lock in its focus.

Panasonic did not design the G3 just for old vets who want their familiar knobs and buttons. This camera with its touchscreen should appeal to those who are ready to graduate from the camera in their smartphone.

If you desire, all the functions are a touch away in the on-screen menus. You can even tap on the three-inch LCD screen to indicate where the camera should focus and then tap again to snap your photo.

Of course, like any respectable digital camera these days, the G3 also shoots video in high definition. (You can see some samples here.)

Conclusion

Since the Panasonic G3 strikes a good balance between old fashioned dial controls and state of the art touchscreens, both those looking to upgrade from a smartphone or point and shoot camera and those wishing to replace their DSLR in their travel bag should feel comfortable using this mirrorless camera - no matter what color the bag is.

Panasonic G3 Photo Gallery

More about the Panasonic G3

Panasonic G3 spec sheet

Compare the Panasonic G3 to the Competition