Better than a DSLR APS-C

A fter much hesitation I purchased this case to lighten the weight of my camera bag and relieve my vertebrae.
I used a Nikon D7100 with mainly a 16/85, a 70-300 VR, a 50mm f / 1.8 and a 105 micro VR (while Nikon).

So I replaced this material with a GH3, the latest 14-140 (265g only), 100-300 (520g for a 600mm equivalent), the Olympus 60mm macro (a marvel of 185g) and Olympus 45mm f / 1.8 (116g).

Note that I am virtually no videos, I use the GH3 for the photo ...

I find that my new goals have an optical quality as good as that of my old Nikon at equivalent focal length, except the couple 70-300VR vs Nikon Panasonic 100-300, clearly in favor of Panasonic to longer focal lengths.

To return to the case:

The grip (shape, height and depth of the handle placement of buttons and knobs) right for me on the Panasonic. The case is compact but nice. I have medium sized hands and my hands hold the handle (the little finger does not slip below): I did not need the optional grip.

The general impression of quality seems better on the GH3 with the D7100 (rubber handle is peeling on my copy, and my fingers came to a stop on the housing as the handle was not deep enough, nothing all this on GH3).

All important settings are accessible via a single key on the GH3 and several function keys are programmable, 10/10 from that point of view.

The electronic viewfinder is great, greater than that of a small-type SLR D3200, but significantly less enjoyable than the D7100 ...
Less pleasant, but not necessarily worse: the EVF helps to immediately report problems overexposed or underexposed, unlike an optical viewfinder, the same goes for the white balance. In addition, it is more pleasant dark atmosphere ... It took me a little while to get used to, but in the reflection (so to speak), I do not regret the beautiful prism glass D7100. Well, almost no ...

Autofocus:
The focus is generally faster on my new objectives: GH3 + 14-140 faster than D7100 + 16-85, etc.
With the exception of 100-300, for which the period of development seems to me comparable to that I got with the D7100 + 70-300 VR torque.
It would of course different with pro lenses on the D7100.
No problem Back or Front Focus and therefore no galley with microwave settings, unlike some well known reflex ... When the development is made, it is right, no to land issues.

Trigger:
Remarkable discretion on the GH3. In standard mode (mechanical shutter), it is already very quiet, no noise or vibration due to the recovery of a mirror.
By activating the electronic shutter (best used with relativements Still Subjects), there is really silent: I photographed wild rabbits less than 10 meters, which seemed not to perceive the sound of firing. ..
Moreover, I think the lack of mirror contributes significantly to improving the sharpness of images due to the lack of a steady Shutter button (as at the time of Leica M and other Contax silver)

Mounted ISO and image quality:
I go up to 1600 ISO without problems for 30x40 prints, I have not seen any deterioration compared to my old SLR.
The image quality is excellent and I use the JPEG without a second thought (as I shootais in raw before).
From this point of view, and despite its "modest" 16 megapixel, I find the GH3 as good as the D7100 in 24MPix ... and better than the D7100 in Crop x1.3 mode.

Depth of field:
In theory, reducing the size of the sensor does not provide a depth of field as weak as with an SLR APS-C at the same openness and the same framing (since in reality the focal length is shorter ). In practice that was not too embarrassed, and I bought a 45mm f / 1.8 for portraits, which allows me to get exactly the same depth of field as the Nikon 50mm f / 1.8 ( Very pretty much).

In summary:
- Electronic viewfinder relatively pleasant, and very convenient (to try before making a decision)
- As good as with my old SLR Images
- Ergonomics as good or slightly better
- Weight and size halved
- Increased Discretion

I do not regret that choice and I definitely abandoned the APS-C format.