Granted, the G3 also has a few weaknesses (small battery, relatively loud shutter sound, weak flash), but that can get over easily. Spare battery is priced at just under 14 Lookit (battery indicator works!). Louder than a "real" SLR is not. And there is indeed a hot shoe, if you need a powerful flash. So everything points that are not so really count.
But there are a lot of things that are really great:
- Very handy. In direct comparison, it is not much bigger than my old FZ8 with sun visor with kit lens 14/42. For me, a crucial reason. What I use a super camera, if I do not have with me when it will be exciting. On vacation or on a hike, it goes with me not just about photography. Since the camera has just run with so and sometimes fit in a jacket pocket.
- Unlike most "system cameras" the G3 has a viewfinder. It is often noted that this does not work so well in low light. Maybe so, but since you do not need it in most cases. Important is the viewfinder, especially when it's so light that you can see anything on the screen. And he really does his job well.
- For me, a nice add-on is the video function. In direct comparison with a highly regarded premium AVHCD recorder of Canon files about 15% were greater with the same quality. But the recorder has indeed cost a few euros more and Hunder is here, so to speak free of charge here. For NiceToHave so not too bad.
- Really outstanding is the image quality. At full resolution still mostly pixel sharp. Since I have seen pictures of "large" cameras seen that were significantly worse. Even at high ISO speeds, the results are usually quite useful. In my estimation, as many SLRs in this price range can not keep up.
- However, a point which is unfortunately rarely mentioned is that color quality. Especially compact cameras tend colors resist admit rather unreliable. Previously I thought that my FZ8 there already would be quite useful. But there is absolutely no comparison with the differentiated colors produced the G3. Even under poor lighting conditions and mixed light colors are clear and give the mood very well again. I've noticed no "outliers" such as in intensive red or green tones.
- It is true that the automatic white balance works very well. Especially in light of energy-saving lamps sets your camera to a warm tone. All color controls (including the preset modes, for example for incandescent light), however, can adapt very quickly and intuitively. And these settings are retained when off. So Who the factory tuning is too hot or cold, is not a fix.
- The rotating touch screen is not only practical for particular perspectives or self-portraits, he protects the screen during transport. A not to be underestimated advantage.
- Speaking of Touch: This part of the operating concept is really sugar! With a tap can be the focus point in the image to move. In connection with the lightning quick and fairly reliable autofocus an ingenious combination. This is a real leap forward. If desired, also equal to the exposure be linked to the focus point, what extreme situations is a great relief. Because it's really fun to play with blurs.
- The menus are very elongated and unüberlichtlich indeed. Mir is also not entirely clear what criteria the points were assigned to the various Rec, individual and setup menus. That's allerings also not quite as bad, because there is a Quick Menu, where you can put together the most important. The Quick Menu can take any more than 15 options in any order. If one looks at the main 10 points out, then you can achieve this with each push of a button and a twist of the control wheel. This is somewhat reminiscent of the Ribbons of Microsoft, has here but let's make sense and is really convenient. In normal everyday life, so usually does not need the menus.
- Did you even found a special setting, then there are 4 memory slots, which allow them to save them. The first one as C1 reached on the mode dial, the numbers 2-4 can be called up in the position C2, which represents one of a the menu. So you have always 2 fixed defaults, which can be reached with a rotation. That's not stupid, if it needs to go fast times.
Conclusion:
The G3 is a handy camera with super Bildquaität. About the ass mode (iA button) it can also be used by people who do not want too much to deal with the details themselves. Otherwise, it is more for sophisticated people who are willing to deal with the intricacies. Who knows how to use the possibilities given a powerful piece of equipment at a reasonable price. Also recommended is the kit G3WEG with telephoto.
Addendum after about 5 months using:
The positive basic enthusiasm has remained ever get. In particular, the Tele 40/200 has proved to be very useful image quality. The picture quality is excellent overall, even in difficult lighting conditions. Even the slightly smaller battery does not interfere in the long run actually. 250 images on a single charge under normal use in any case not a problem, the second battery I've hardly used.
A few points of criticism, mainly for operating concept:
What little annoying in the long run is the color balance. The automatic balance AWB unfortunately often produces unbalanced, cold colors. With solid specifications for sun or shade that works much better, unfortunately for example is then the correction is not changed with active flash QuickCorrect a frequent source of errors.
Also unfortunate is the fact that there is no selective reset of parameters when turning. Something had the first Olympus cameras. Because you could choose which settings through a power reset should be and what not. In the G3 it happens to me in any case frequently that after a long break, I first have to look after turning what had adjusted everything. Usually the exposure it or the color balance is still adjusted manually.
The default settings of C1 and C2 are superfluous for me, usually I have two days to forget what was set. Here one would have to really keep records. Likewise eigentich not clear why the donkey mode (iA) has got its own button. This should have been able to do as a position on the dial (the famous little hearts mode), would be logical and would have saved keys. Because the thumb wheel has no function when iA active. Could ever lead to real confusion if you do not know the context. The division into scenes and creative modes is actually unnecessary, that would fit well together in a setting.
But these are trifles eigentich that trouble just before. The same also applies to the setting of the back function keys. For people with a strong urge to play a fine thing, normal users, there are unlikely to create partly to prove this key at all.
Overall, I would therefore people who just want to snapping, picures limited the camera, unless they remain in the iA mode.
