Panasonic GF3: Compact Interchangeable-Lens Model with Flash, Full HD Video

Compact Interchangeable-Lens Cameras

Secaucus, NJ—Panasonic’s latest compact system camera, the mirror-free Lumix DMC-GF3, is its smallest, lightest interchangeable-lens camera with a built-in flash. With a body size comparable to that of a smartphone, the ultracompact GF3 is designed to offer the feature set of a conventional DSLR.

Its reduction in size and weight (7.83 ounces, body only) is due to advancements in mirror-free camera technology and to large DSLR-format sensors that are more compatible with a new class of compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system lenses. Panasonic says the DMC-GF3’s image quality comes from a DSLR-size 12.1 megapixel sensor and newly advanced image-processing technologies.

Because the GF3 is based on the Micro Four Thirds standard of lenses, which includes Panasonic’s 3D lens, the camera not only provides still photos and 1080/60i high-definition video but is capable of shooting 3D photos.

Thanks to a new mount, the GF3 is about 16.7 percent smaller than its predecessor, but it still maintains a built-in flash that features a pop-up mechanism to help prevent vignetting caused by the shortened distances between the flash and the lens.

The camera also sports a newly designed aluminum body that incorporates an ergonomic grip, a well-designed control dial and a 3.0-inch touch-enabled screen.

“The Panasonic GF3 compact system camera is extremely small and its newly designed rounded body is quite attractive, which we expect to be popular among those users wanting to step up from a point-and-shoot, yet who view traditional DSLRs as bulky and overly complex,” said Darin Pepple, senior product manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics. “While the size and weight of the GF3 has been greatly reduced, Panasonic does not compromise what is at the core of every Lumix, which is exceptional photo and video quality with an easy-to-use interface.”

All Lumix G-series models employ contrast AF for their focus system, as opposed to phase-difference AF commonly found in DSLRs. With a contrast AF system, focusing is controlled by the image sensor to reduce the mechanical margin of error and boost the number of in-focus shots, especially when shooting in low light with a wide-open aperture. (When the GF3 is used with Panasonic’s just-announced wide-aperture Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 Asph lens, the performance of its contrast AF system is optimally maximized.) The GF3 is said to offer “a high-speed and extremely precise contrast AF system that locks in approximately 0.18 second,” and it incorporates full-area focusing to make it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view. It also features “light speed AF,” which Panasonic says measures at approximately 0.1 sec—achieved by reducing the detection time for focusing by doubling the sensor’s drive speed from 60 frames per sec to 120 fps.

Other features include: manual focus control with 4x magnification; a 3.0-inch touch-screen LCD for intuitive touch control of menus and most shooting, focusing, playback and effects controls; menus can be customized using drag-and-drop actions similar to those on touch-enabled smartphones; a pinpoint AF function to allow more precise focus setting by enlarging the focusing area; a traditional DSLR mode dial; 1,920×1,080 Full HD video in the AVCHD format with a dedicated record button; dust reduction; and Panasonic’s iA (intelligent auto) mode and the advanced iA plus mode, which automatically engage once the iA button is pressed. iA functions include Mega OIS (optical image stabilization), intelligent ISO control, intelligent scene selector, face detection, AF tracking, intelligent D-range control and intelligent resolution.

For added creativity, the GF3 provides photo style and creative control modes. With creative control, users can more easily access their most-frequently-used color modes (expressive, retro, high key, sepia, high dynamic and newly added miniature effect), while the photo style mode revitalizes the conventional film mode with settings in standard, vivid, natural, monochrome, scenery and portrait presets.

Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-GF3 is compatible with other Micro Four Thirds lenses and full-size Four Thirds system lenses via an optional adapter. It will be available in black, white, red and brown for a suggested price of $699.99 with the 14mm lens kit starting in July 2011, and $599.99 with the 14-42mm lens kit in late August. panasonic.com