Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 review

By Ben Boswell - Thursday, February 14, 2013

Camera Review
Introduction | Measurement | Comparisons | Conclusion

The Panasonic Lumix DMC GH3 is a very good camera, among the best tested by DxO Mark in this format. It is small and light and will make an excellent camera to travel with and fulfils all of the requirements that a serious enthusiast is likely to have. However, it is pricey for a hybrid and it has competition from several directions. The Olympus is even smaller and lighter and scores slightly higher but it does lack a viewfinder. For a similar price you could be buying either the Pentax K 01 or the K-5 IIs, both of which have scores consistently higher than the Lumix but obviously with the overhead of a bulkier and heavier piece of equipment to carry. You could also be looking at the Sony NEX-6 which is the closest technically, scores better and is cheaper. There is no escaping from the conclusion that the Panasonic Lumix DCM GH3 is going to be the ideal camera for some people, but for others the better choice would be some more detailed research.

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Comments
Added by dfswan |  March 29

1.7 million dot OLED viewfinder

Thanks for the great review. You mentioned that the GH3 had a 1.4 Mpix viewfinder (same as the Olympus EM-5 and other previous Lumix cameras) but it in fact has a 1.7 million dot OLED viewfinder. It must be the OLED because there is no comparison between this excellent viewfinder and the others. It is so good in fact, that I far prefer this WYSIWYG viewfinder to our Nikon 5100 optical viewfinder. Along with its smaller silent focus lenses and great video, it is truly the “Goldilocks” camera for serious photographers and videographers.  There is no other camera like it!

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Added by peevee |  February 15

Same sensor

"Color depth at 22.7 is excellent, Dynamic Range at 12.4 EV it best in class and ISO at 812 is only just behind the two Olympus cameras."

Actually, all of them are within a margin of error of your tests, so it is 99.9% the same sensor as the 3 2012 Olympuses (E-M5, E-PM2, E-PL5).
DR of 12.4 EV is curios as the cameras have 12 bit RAW format. :)

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Added by peevee |  February 15

Mistake in the review of GH3.

There is a mistake here: "The video capture is full HD: 1080i". The video is actually 1080p, and 60p if needed.

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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |  February 15

Re: Mistake in the review of GH3.

Hello!

Thanks for letting us know. We are going to correct it as soon as possible, but video is not what we test as we focus on RAW.  :)

Regards,

Emilie

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Added by RickPick |  February 14

Test should mention (at least) the video features

When comparing the GH3 with other mirrorless hybrid cameras (price/performance) the video features of the GH3 should also be included in the comparison. The video specs are far better than any other hybrid or DSLR camera except at a much higher price.

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Added by Emilie_DxOMark |  February 15

Re: Test should mention (at least) the video features

Hello !

Actually we don’t measure the video performance as we focus on RAW. :)

Regards,

Emilie

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Added by igalk474 |  January 15

when is the review coming?

btw, i've heard that there will be shippment on the 28 to january/13

please hurry with it and compare with:
Olympus PEN E-PL5
Panasonic Lumix DMC G5
Olympus OM-D E-M5

also make sure you use the 12-35 2.8 new panasonic lens

and test those lenses with it:

Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 12-35mm f/2.8 Asph. Lens

Panasonic Leica Summilux DG 25mm F1.4

Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 Lens

Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7-14mm f/4.0 ASPH. Lens

Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f/2.8 ASPH. MEGA O.I.S. Lens

Voigtlander Nokton 25mm f/0.95 Micro Four Thirds Lens


and test the video compared to a99,5dmk3,d800e,E-PL5

thanks , please make it fast :)


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Added by randybenter |  January 19

Re: when is the review coming?

Last camera test was posted in November. What's going on at DXO???

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Added by aditt |  December 28, 2012

Lumix GH3

Hi!

When are we going to see a test of the new Lumix GH3?


Happy new year!

Achim

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Added by archivjmue |  January 13

Re: Lumix GH3

Hi Achim,

thanks for your question! I'm going to buy the GH3 but will be waiting for DXOMark's score.

Jochen

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Added by Nicolas |  January 14

Re: Lumix GH3

Hello,

Actually the Lumix GH3 is one of our top priority cameras, but the problem is that it is very difficult to get hand on one sample!

Regards,


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Added by hoodlum |  January 14

Re: Lumix GH3

These guys have stock and will ship anywhere.

http://www.adencamera.com/product-overviewer.asp?ProdID=4188&Category=6

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Further readings for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 review

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Tests and reviews for Panasonic LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 ASPH MEGA O.I.S.


Tests and reviews for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3