Panasonic Lumix GF3 in the test

Equipped with Pancake lens 2.5 / 14 mm, the Panasonic Micro Four Thirds model is an inconspicuous companion for undervalued photo pleasure. With its plastic-magnesium mix, the camera also provides a high degree of value, with a small bead in the grip area of ​​the fingers giving sufficient hold.


Picture gallery


The only direct comparison is the Olympus Pen E-P3. Unlike the GF2, which will remain available, the GF3 unfortunately can not connect an electronic viewfinder - probably also a space problem on the housing.


The only 3-inch monitor with the resolution of 153333 RGB pixels is therefore the only motive for the subject. In the absence of a lightning shoe or accessory connection, unlike the Sony NEX-C3, no more powerful flash can be connected. Sensor cleaning by ultrasound is on board, but image stabilization is only possible with appropriate lenses.


The fast-working contrast AF provides 23 measurement fields, and a touch of the screen selects a subject detail. The size of the AF point is variable, and tapping the screen can be combined with the trigger function. The triggering delay including AF time is short with 0.30 / 0.32 s at 1000/30 Lux, like the Olympus, the Panasonic in this regard has reached the level of the SLR cameras with live AF.


In addition to the usual exposure programs including scenes and effects (creative mode), the camera also offers "intelligent" fully automatic "(iA), which allows for adjustments in the variant iA + with touchscreen controls Maximum in Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) on how their competitors with AF support.


Also from the necessity of not overloading the GF3 miniature housing with buttons, Panasonic has integrated the touch screen operation even more fully into the operating concept than the Olympus at the pen - which can be rather positive or negative depending on your personal preference

Image quality


Up to ISO 800 the GF3 offers a very good picture quality with its 12-megapixel sensor in the Four Thirds format, whereby the low texture losses of a maximum of 0.5 are positive. Increased noise already starts above ISO 800. From ISO 3200, a peculiar change in image quality is taking place: with high DL values ​​over 1000, the kurtosis is jumping upwards, in the case of ISO 6400, the texture losses are massive, and the dynamics decrease to below 6 screens >

Conclusion


With the image quality, the two Sony models A35 and NEX-C3 can only play out the advantages of their APS-C-Sensor in comparison to the Micro-Four-Thirds-models of the competition of Olympus E-P3 and Panasonic GF3 only conditionally. By better, the results are only from ISO 1600, but the difference remains moderate.


If you are looking for a system camera with the dimensions of a compact, the Panasonic GF3 is best served, but must overlook the lack of adaptability of an electronic viewfinder - Kauftipp "compact." Also the high RAW resolution of the Panasonic.


Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3