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Technical Details
- Brand Name: Panasonic
- Model: DMC-GF3KBODY
- Optical Sensor Resolution: 12 MP
- Optical Sensor Technology: MOS
- Optical zoom: 3 x
Product Details
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Product Description
Panasonic's LUMIX DMC-GF3 realizes all the features you want from a bulky DSLR interchangeable lens camera, only it accomplishes this in an ultra compact point-and-shoot camera body about as wide and tall as a typical smart phone yet is lightweight and simple to master. This remarkable reduction in size and weight is thanks to advancements in new mirror-free camera technology, and large DSLR format sensors that are more compatible with a new class of compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System lenses. This new class of Compact System Cameras (CSC) offers a weight and compactness not seen in traditional DSLRs, yielding greater portability and creative control. The DMC-GF3’s image quality comes from a large DSLR-sized 12.1-megapixel sensor and newly advanced image processing technologies. The DMC-GF3 provides a traditional DSLR-like experience without the need for complicated external mode dials, yet provides intuitive and quick access to common modes like Program, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Manual via a touch-enabled LCD that operates much like a smart phone. The DMC-GF3 provides a dedicated video button that can be used to switch to video capture quickly without changing modes. At the heart of the DMC-GF3’s simplified functionality is a large 3.0-inch LCD (460k- dot) that allows for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback and effects controls. Menus can be customized using simple drag-and-drop actions like those on most touch-enabled smartphones. This allows for a custom user interface, giving Quick Menu access to functions that can be tailored to any user’s expertise level. Using the touch-screen operation, a user can lock onto a subject, enabling AF Tracking in both still and video modes. When you’re ready to shoot, the subject will be in focus and ready to capture.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By RobsFolly
Amazon Verified Purchase
I recently acquired both the GF3 and a FH25K point and shoot and was curious which would provide the best vacationer experience. I had damaged my Casio EX-S5 by inadvertently turning it on while it was in a case and my wife had managed to misplace her Canon PS-A2200 so I needed a point and shoot replacement. I was torn between the Lumix FH25K and the Lumix GF3. I initially thought that since I already had a Lumix G1 and a (somewhat unfairly excessively maligned) Lumix 14-42 kit lens, I might as well give the GF3 body a try, hopefully it might provide better performance than a pure P&S like the FH25K. Here are my impressions:
The GF3 is most definitively a tweener and it's compromises are likely to rankle both P&S shooters and more advanced enthusiast. With the kit 14-40mm mounted it is too large to slip into ones pocket and too limited in external controls and features to appeal to most enthusiast. I personally really miss having a view finder or a dedicated hot shoe, especially considering the P&S style, red eye inducing P&S type flash. The camera body is very small and it is difficult to find a proper grip, I find myself supporting the cameras weight more from the lens than the body, but once one gets past those limitations and learns where all the menu feature controls are, it's a pretty fun camera. It's electronics work well notably the iA setting, the point of focus tracking and the lock feature as well as the depth of field control works pretty well. The touch screen is not as sensitive as one might hope but I see that not so much as a negative because I already inadvertently set features on and off too often accidentally.... Read more ›
The GF3 is most definitively a tweener and it's compromises are likely to rankle both P&S shooters and more advanced enthusiast. With the kit 14-40mm mounted it is too large to slip into ones pocket and too limited in external controls and features to appeal to most enthusiast. I personally really miss having a view finder or a dedicated hot shoe, especially considering the P&S style, red eye inducing P&S type flash. The camera body is very small and it is difficult to find a proper grip, I find myself supporting the cameras weight more from the lens than the body, but once one gets past those limitations and learns where all the menu feature controls are, it's a pretty fun camera. It's electronics work well notably the iA setting, the point of focus tracking and the lock feature as well as the depth of field control works pretty well. The touch screen is not as sensitive as one might hope but I see that not so much as a negative because I already inadvertently set features on and off too often accidentally.... Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By S. Forler
Amazon Verified Purchase
After months of reading reviews and news in dpreviews.com I finally purchased a DMC-GF3. I waited a couple of weeks for a good deal in the used-like-new category and got it for $175. I matched it with the LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens and the Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 Lens. My goals were the best price/performance and portability.
As a former owner of a traditional SLR and I loved the quality of the pictures, but eventually got tired of lugging it around. When the digital point and shoot compacts became small enough to put in my pocket, I bought my first Canon. I ended up with a fine Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD (Black) when I started reading about mirrorless cameras and felt I could improve my photo quality and still get portability. I finally decided to try the four thirds technology.
Reading reviews is a good way to learn but is not a replacement for experience and personal taste. Being unsure of the camera, I chose to focus on the best lenses; I could upgrade the camera later when there was more choice and the technology advanced if I wanted. With less pressure on the getting the perfect camera, I decided there was no better value than the GF3.
Is it as compact as the point and shoots? No, definitely not, but with the incredibly small, and fast Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras or the versatile , it comes close. The body is about 1/2 inch wider and the same depth and with the lens, about 1 inched deeper. In this configuration it is about 365 grams compared to 220 grams for the ZS3. Incredibly, the size and weight is almost the same with either lens! It will fit in a jacket pocket or very loose jeans pocket and it won't break your neck when worn with a strap.
As for image quality and features, there is much written about this. Compared to the DMC-ZS3, it is higher quality, although I got some fine shots with the ZS3 when conditions were right. But with the GF3 you can tweak the settings for almost any difficult lighting situation. You can use the Intelligent Auto modes (IA or IA+) for very nice quality shots or revert to more manual modes for a particular situation. The higher resolution and fine lens quality has definitely moved my photos up a notch.
For more controlled photo-taking of wild life, I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 Lens for Panasonic Lumix G-Series Digital Cameras and am considering a macro lens, although the 20mm does a pretty good job for closeups. These special purpose lenses are much bigger and heavier than two mention above, but when compared with traditional SLR technology they are light-years ahead in size and weight.
After a month with the GF3 I can see that without previous experience with an SLR, my learning curve would have been much higher in order to use all the features of the camera, however the IA modes make the transition easier. The big difference between the point and shoots and the four thirds is learning how the lens speed (F stops) and aperture affect the lighting, especially indoors. Don't scrimp on the lens. The lower the f number the better (lets in more light) as it is easier to get shots in a variety of lighting situations. I love the 20mm F1.7 lens for this reason.
To get experience with the four thirds technology and discover what is important to me, the GF3 was the perfect answer. So far I have been very satisfied with the camera. But when the time comes to upgrade the camera, the low cost of this investment will make it very easy. Read more ›
As a former owner of a traditional SLR and I loved the quality of the pictures, but eventually got tired of lugging it around. When the digital point and shoot compacts became small enough to put in my pocket, I bought my first Canon. I ended up with a fine Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 10.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3 inch LCD (Black) when I started reading about mirrorless cameras and felt I could improve my photo quality and still get portability. I finally decided to try the four thirds technology.
Reading reviews is a good way to learn but is not a replacement for experience and personal taste. Being unsure of the camera, I chose to focus on the best lenses; I could upgrade the camera later when there was more choice and the technology advanced if I wanted. With less pressure on the getting the perfect camera, I decided there was no better value than the GF3.
Is it as compact as the point and shoots? No, definitely not, but with the incredibly small, and fast Panasonic LUMIX G 20mm f/1.7 Aspherical Pancake Lens for Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Cameras or the versatile , it comes close. The body is about 1/2 inch wider and the same depth and with the lens, about 1 inched deeper. In this configuration it is about 365 grams compared to 220 grams for the ZS3. Incredibly, the size and weight is almost the same with either lens! It will fit in a jacket pocket or very loose jeans pocket and it won't break your neck when worn with a strap.
As for image quality and features, there is much written about this. Compared to the DMC-ZS3, it is higher quality, although I got some fine shots with the ZS3 when conditions were right. But with the GF3 you can tweak the settings for almost any difficult lighting situation. You can use the Intelligent Auto modes (IA or IA+) for very nice quality shots or revert to more manual modes for a particular situation. The higher resolution and fine lens quality has definitely moved my photos up a notch.
For more controlled photo-taking of wild life, I recently purchased a Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm/F4.0-5.6 Lens for Panasonic Lumix G-Series Digital Cameras and am considering a macro lens, although the 20mm does a pretty good job for closeups. These special purpose lenses are much bigger and heavier than two mention above, but when compared with traditional SLR technology they are light-years ahead in size and weight.
After a month with the GF3 I can see that without previous experience with an SLR, my learning curve would have been much higher in order to use all the features of the camera, however the IA modes make the transition easier. The big difference between the point and shoots and the four thirds is learning how the lens speed (F stops) and aperture affect the lighting, especially indoors. Don't scrimp on the lens. The lower the f number the better (lets in more light) as it is easier to get shots in a variety of lighting situations. I love the 20mm F1.7 lens for this reason.
To get experience with the four thirds technology and discover what is important to me, the GF3 was the perfect answer. So far I have been very satisfied with the camera. But when the time comes to upgrade the camera, the low cost of this investment will make it very easy. Read more ›
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Wendal Weets
Amazon Verified Purchase
For those who are ready to step up from a tiny sensor point and shoot, this camera is pretty awesome, considering that its current price is pretty low for a nice sized sensor.
My only gripe is with the touchscreen. It's not very sensitive. What I do love about it though is that you can set it to auto mode, and tap the touchscreen on what you want to focus on, and it will focus quickly and take a picture in that one tap. Very clear photos for beginners with the standard kit lens. I use the 20mm f1.7 pancake and get WONDERFUL shots. Beware, though, the pancake lens on this camera isn't as small as it seems. The pancake with cap doubles the thickness of the camera.
My only gripe is with the touchscreen. It's not very sensitive. What I do love about it though is that you can set it to auto mode, and tap the touchscreen on what you want to focus on, and it will focus quickly and take a picture in that one tap. Very clear photos for beginners with the standard kit lens. I use the 20mm f1.7 pancake and get WONDERFUL shots. Beware, though, the pancake lens on this camera isn't as small as it seems. The pancake with cap doubles the thickness of the camera.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Brian
Amazon Verified Purchase
Amazing little camera, especially for the size. I have nothing but good things to say about this, especially given the quality and size. This is now my main shooting camera, having replaced my Canon T3i Rebel.
