Amidst all of the hype over the new DSLRs from Canon and Nikon (the 6D, 5DMIII, D800) Panasonic seems to have slipped under the radar with some still shooters, and I don't think this is one that us video people should simply brush off. This new camera body comes equipped with wifi, a weather sealed body, and In this video, see Philip Bloom using preproduction GH3 on a short film shoot...
Here is the final video by Philip Bloom that used the Panasonic GH3. Written and directed by Bruce Logan, Produced by Elliot Lewis Rosenblatt and Bruce Logan. Directors of Photography: Philip Bloom & Bruce Logan ASC.
Panasonic GH3 launch film: Genesis from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
I'm surprised by the lack of buzz surrounding this camera given it's predecessor's accomplishments in the moving image department. Here's a (very) brief overview of blogs and tests where the GH2 was shown to be as good as and sometimes better than it's fellow DSLRs and even some higher end video cameras:
• Canon 5DM3 Video Beat By Panasonic GH2?
• Philip Bloom's Mini Christmas Shootout
• Zacuto's Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012
• EOSHD's Shootout in the Snow
Now before you tell me that you don't want to hack your camera, or you're not down with the Micro 4/3 mount, have a read at some of the more notable specs, keeping in mind that this is coming from a $1,300 camera body when comparing it to Canon or Nikon for video recording.
• Mirrorless System
• Weather Sealed Body
• 1080/60p at 50Mbps (IPB compression)
• 1080/24p at 72Mbps (Intra-frame compression)
• No Time Limit Video Recording
• BUILT IN WIFI
• OLED Touch Screen that rotates out
• Real-time Histogram
• Clean HDMI output (only 4:2:0 however)
• Headphone jack!
• Manual Audio Leveling
• Timecode
• 1:1 Sensor Crop
Full Specs from Panasonic's site
If those specs aren't making you salivate just a little, have a look at this video that cover it's key features.
The GH3 is available for pre-order at B&H. Let me know if you get one!
[More info via EOSHD, Philip Bloom's Blog, and Adorama]
Mirrorless DSLMs are the future. This might be the next thing like we had with analog vs digital. While first, even professionals, already switch to cameras like the M4/3 Olympus OM-D or GH3 and enjoy the light weight and great prime lenses it offers some will stick with the heavy DSLRs for many more years. Dxomark released it's test of the om-d sensor today which is even in the new cheaper e-pm2 and e-pl5 now. It's dynamic range is higher than in the 5d mark II & III. It's impressive what the current Micro Four Thirds cameras are capable of.
The link to B&H is wrong.
Thanks for the catch! Edited!
Panasonic puts out a fantastic camera system. (if I didn't own all my Nikon glass, hehe, I'd try a Panasonic)
I think if they'd promote them much more, get their cameras "IN YOUR FACE" so to speak, they'd grab a huge chunk of the market.
Nikon glass works great on my GH2 with a Novaflex adapter.
Being able to view AND control the camera via Wifi is so awesome.
As a GH2 user, having had hacked it, and then had it break on me, it'll be nice to have a camera on budget that won't require hacking.
How did yours break? I never heard of that happening?
It wasn't a hack that broke it, a screw came loose around the battery board and caused a short which broke the board, just normal wear and tear.
I was just told by Samy's that the GH3 was limited to 29 minutes of video? Is that true? I know my GH2 has no limits beyond battery or card space.
All DSLRs have the 30 min limit due to "camcorder" classification and a tax ofr the manufacturer