September 17, 2012 (Secaucus, NJ) – Panasonic is proud to introduce the new Digital Single Lens Mirrorless DMC-GH3. The
LUMIX GH3 is not just a compact, lightweight camera. It is an
attractive, top-of-the-line mirrorless single lens system camera that is
tough enough to withstand the extreme conditions of heavy field use.
The
new Live MOS Sensor achieves high-resolution images with minimum noise.
And the new Venus Engine attains high-speed, high-quality signal
processing. These features combine to maximize shooting fun and
operating ease. Another prominent feature of the LUMIX GH3 is a tough
body that is rugged enough to stand up to professional use. It features a
magnesium alloy full diecast body and advanced splash / dustproof
construction that was achieved by sealing the sections of the camera
body to enable shooting under extreme conditions. Although the LUMIX GH3
integrates features a class above other G Series models, it is still
compact when compared with an SLR camera featuring equivalent
performance and functions. The body has enabled a new control layout
with three dials on the front and back as well as single-function
buttons. The LUMIX GH3 allows users to capture images in extreme
environments and provides superb mobility. It also records still images
consecutively at a rate of about 6 fps. The LUMIX GH3 is proud to assume
the role of Panasonic's flagship digital single-lens mirrorless camera.
The
video recording capability, which is highly acclaimed in the GH2, now
comes with more variety of options in its format and bit rate to meet
wide-ranging needs. It is packed with advanced technologies developed by
Panasonic for professional video creation.
The
LUMIX GH3 uses OLED displays both in its viewfinder and in the rear
free-angle monitor. Panasonic has also developed optional accessories to
expand the shooting possibility of DMC-GH3. A detachable battery grip
DMW-BGGH3 for vertical viewing angle, integrates control featuring
splash/dustproof design. The external TTL flash DMW-FL360L comes with
wireless function and even integrates LED for video recording. A Stereo
Shotgun microphone DMW-MS2 is also available. They represent a first of
their kind for Panasonic LUMIX cameras.
Panasonic
also offers a full lineup of lenses that reinforce the LUMIX GH3. The
LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER O.I.S. (H-HS12035) is
currently on the market. In addition to this, Panasonic is releasing a
new fast F2.8 telephoto zoom lens LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm / F2.8 /
POWER O.I.S. (H-HS35100) to introduce with the LUMIX GH3. These two
lenses achieve high resistance performance against splash and dust when
combined with the LUMIX GH3.
The
LUMIX G lens lineup includes a variety of models with superb image
rendering, such as Leica lenses and smooth, silent power zoom lenses
suitable for video recording. *This is the largest lineup of
interchangeable lenses for a digital single lens mirrorless camera*. And
Panasonic will continue to develop and introduce new lenses with
distinctive features.
*As of 17, September 2012.
Delivering the highest ever picture quality with a new Live MOS sensor: The
DMC-GH3 realizes high-quality photo images with real-to-life details
through excellent resolution, image rendering and color reproduction;
high-grade lens and precision AF achieves high resolution, optimal
balance of resolution and noise reduction achieves lifelike image
rendering and high precision auto exposure and white balance with live
light metering results in faithful color reproduction.
The
newly developed 16.05 effective megapixel Live MOS sensor boasts wide
dynamic range and high sensitivity image recording even at ISO 12,800 or
ISO 25,600 in extended mode. The key point here was reducing noise, for
which Panasonic focused on the following three areas: (1) minimizing
noise in the sensor, (2) preventing sensor noise from entering the
output signal, and (3) preventing noise from entering the signal
processing circuit, power supply line and grounding line. To reduce
noise, it is also important to design the power supply wiring and the
signal wiring connected to the engine to be as close to the same length
as possible. These measures not only suppress noise but also help to
improve processing speed. Standard sensitivity is from ISO 200 to ISO
12,800, but the user can set sensitivity to ISO 125 or ISO 25,600 by
using an extension function. The LPF (Low Pass Filter) has been also
newly designed to minimize generation of moire while drawing maximum
resolution of the image out of the sensor.
The
image processor Venus Engine is also refined to achieve superior noise
reduction. With a combination of 3DNR (3D Noise Reduction) and MNR
(Multi-process Noise Reduction), both bright area and dark area are
faithfully reproduced with minimum noise across the entire focusing
range in high sensitivity image recording.
The
built-in flash is enhanced to feature more power and flexibility. The
new built-in flash of GN12 equivalent (ISO 100 •m) / GN17 equivalent
(ISO 200 •m) covers 24mm wide angle of view. Synchronization for flash
dimming and exposure compensation is available with adjustment of 1/3EV
Step ±3EV. Manual control and a sync terminal are newly added for more
versatile use of external flash.
The GH3 also integrates HDR (High Dynamic Range)
to cope with the extreme bright and dark contrast that you get, for
example, with backlighting, or when consecutive photos are taken with
different exposure levels and overlapped. Blown highlights and blocked
shadows are then deleted and a single photo is composed. All processing
is done in the background, so you can take your next shot without having
to wait, ensuring that you don't miss a photo opportunity.
Other
practical shooting functions including Time Lapse Shot or Multiple
Exposure are available on DMC-GH3. The electronic shutter with silent
operation prevents pixel declination which is undesirable in
photographing of commercial products.
Awesome quality of video for unlimited expressions – versatile recording formats, bitrate and frame rates:
Panasonic
defies the conventional boundaries of a digital camera elevating the
potential of video recording capability even higher. Users can freely
choose the format from AVCHD, AVCHD Progressive, MP4 or MOV with the
frame rate at 60p(NTSC), 30p(NTSC) or 24p according to the usage*. The
DMC-GH3 is capable of recording ultra high bit rate video recorded at 72
Mbps (ALL-Intra) or 50 Mbps (IPB). And it is capable of recording
continuously for an unlimited time**.
Heat
generated during long continuous recording can cause problems. It not
only affects internal components but can also degrade image quality.
Effective thermal diffusion is an essential design challenge. By drawing
on the expertise accumulated through its many years of developing
camcorders, Panasonic has revamped and redesigned the electronic parts
arrangement and internal structure to achieve the optimum layout. This
has eliminated heat problems in the LUMIX GH3.
When
recording the video in MOV, AVCHD Progressive and AVCHD, the DMC-GH3
automatically generates multiple seamless files for continuous
recording. During playback, the AVCHD Progressive / AVCHD files are
reproduced with seamless, interruption-free continuity. The DMC-GH3 also
embeds SMPTE-compliant Time Code either in Rec Run or Free Run count-up
methods, which makes it easy to synchronize the multiple video footage
or sound source in the post production workflow. Time Code Value can be
started at any point of [Reset], [Manual Input] and [Current Time]. Drop
frame or Non Drop Frame time code is selectable***.
For high quality sound recording, DMC-GH3 adopts Dolby Digital® for AVCHD Progressive
/AVCHD videos and linear PCM(LPCM) for non-compressed video recorded in
MOV. In addition to the built-in stereo microphone, the GH3 is equipped
with two 3.5mm terminals for an external microphone and headphones to
facilitate sound recording.
The
DMC-GH3 also features Creative Video mode: Exposure mode and
Slow/Fast-Motion mode. In the Exposure mode, four manual video modes:
Program AE / Aperture-Priority / Shutter-Priority / Manual Exposure can
be selected and they will faithfully reflect your shooting intent, and
give you a wide range of video images. The Slow/Fast-Motion mode enables slow-motion (40% / 48% / 80%) and fast–motion (160% / 200% / 300%), all in Full-HD.
Not
only full-time AF, AF Tracking and Face Recognition AF are also
available. The Touch AF in video recording also lets users enjoy
professional-like rack focusing. Just by pointing at the subject, the
focus is shifted to it and lets it stand out to attract attention.
*60p(NTSC) video recording is not available in AVCHD and MP4 video recording.
**In the model for PAL areas, motion image can be recorded up to 29 min 59 sec.
***Available in the model for NTSC regions.
Intuitive response with nimble movement: All
cameras in the LUMIX G assortment adopt Contrast AF for their focus
system. Compared with the Phase difference system AF, the Contrast AF
boasts higher accuracy when shooting with a bright lens with a wide open
aperture.
The
DMC-GH3 features ultra-high-speed AF which makes it possible to capture
fast-moving subjects clearly. Both accuracy and speed are improved over
high-end DSLRs with Phase difference AF with the GH3’s advanced
Contrast AF system. The camera
and the lens exchange the digital signal at 240 fps to minimize the time
to focus. Together with the quick start-up and short release time lag,
the DMC-GH3 never lets photographers miss fleeting shooting
opportunities.
The DMC-GH3 boasts high-precision, high-speed dual OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)
displays for LVF (Live View Finder) and rear monitor. Increasing the
resolution of the display area to 1,744K-dot equivalent, the new 16:9
Wide Screen LVF boasts approx.1.34x / 0.67x (35mm camera equiv.)magnification and 100% field of view and eye point of approximately 21 mm. The
3.0-inch 614K-dot free-angle OLED rear monitor (3:2 aspect) with
wide-viewing angle rotates 180° to the side and tilts 270° up and down
offers approx. 100% of field of view. The OLED rear monitor adopts
static touch control for smoother operation either in shooting or in
playback.
The
DMC-GH3 captures moving subjects clearly with the burst shooting at 6
fps in full resolution (max. 18 consecutive shots of RAW+JPEG) and 20
fps in 4-megapixel recording using an electronic shutter(max. 80
consecutive shots of JPEG).
Superb controllability and rugged design: Panasonic
developed DMC-GH3 in pursuit of the best-balanced body design possible
with the ergonomic grip and optimum layout of control buttons and dials.
Each button has a single function to allow intuitive operation. Major
controls such as shutter speed, exposure compensation, ISO and white
balance settings can be quickly adjusted with the front/rear dials and
rear jog dial. Users can
customize a total of 7 function buttons (5 in buttons and 2 in the touch
menu tab) by allotting a function they use often. The control panel is
fully redesigned enabling even more intuitive operation. The new LUMIX
GH3 is tough enough to withstand heavy field use. The main structural
features of the LUMIX GH3 are its magnesium alloy full diecast frame and
splash / dustproof construction.
Like
previous models, the LUMIX GH3 has many moving parts, such as the
free-angle OLED rear monitor. Thus, ensuring a high level of splash /
dust resistance was not an easy task.
In particular, careful attention was given to the popup flash. To
prevent vignetting caused by the lens, the popup flash incorporates a
sliding mechanism that raises the flash to its operating position.
Panasonic has taken thorough measures to prevent the entry of dust and
water from this section. There are also splash/dust-proof
interchangeable lenses (LUMIX G X VARIO 12-35mm / F2.8 ASPH. / POWER
O.I.S. and LUMIX G X VARIO 35-100mm / F2.8 / POWER O.I.S.) and the new
Battery Grip DMW-BGGH3 to secure its high resistance.
A variety of interfaces: The
DMC-GH3 comes with a variety of connection terminals for more flexible
shooting options. The newly added 3.5mm microphone jack allows high
quality audio recording using an external microphone. It also comes with
a 3.5mm headphone jack enabling monitoring the recorded audio while
shooting video real-time. The DMC-GH3 is also capable of real-time image
output not only on the OLED display (LVF or the rear monitor) but also
on the external monitor via an optional HDMI mini cable simultaneously
while recording video. It is suitable for professional video that
requires serious monitoring of the imagery. Users can choose to output
only the recording content or the content with the setting menus
individually depending on the display.
Creative Expression: The DMC-GH3 incorporates Photo Style and Creative Control for more unique expression tailored for the photographer. With
Photo Style, users can manually choose from 6 color types to get even
more detailed image settings, or to match the shooting situation. In
addition, the contrast, sharpness, saturation or noise reduction for
each mode parameter can be customized in 11 steps and stored in memory.
In Custom Mode, finely customized settings can be stored for easy recall
and use.
The
Creative Control lets you enjoy making the image even more impressive. A
total of 14 filters are available - Expressive, Retro, High Key, Low
Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross
Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, Soft Focus, Star Filter and One
Point Color. Most of the filters can be used in video recording, too.
With the new GUI and menu tabs, switching filter effect is extremely
easy and is possible to preview via the Live View. Effect parameter,
defocusing area and exposure compensation are also adjustable.
Wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi: The
DMC-GH3 integrates a built-in Wi-Fi® module for wireless connectivity
(IEEE 802.11 b/g/n) to expand shooting possibilities. A smartphone or a
tablet can be used to remote control and a remote monitor. What the
camera is seeing is displayed live smoothly on the smartphone/tablet,
and it is possible to set various controls including focus, exposure
compensation, ISO, WB and Photo Style in addition to shutter release via
live view using Wi-Fi.
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