Without too many expectations I have now ordered a PL3, hoping she could give me a light, compact, versatile camera in good stead with the Zuiko 14-150 and in the existing camera image stabilization. And I was pleasantly surprised: speed, image quality up to ISO 800, low weight and volume make the PL3 for almost perfect, almost-always-this universal camera, as long as you do not want to shoot. Combining PL3 with Zuiko 14-150 is unfortunately not yet get a set, but it will come ... The 14-42 kit lens looks a bit like a toy addition to a Mickey Mouse book, but provides amazing good results. However, the number of possible lens changes could be quite limited because of the cheap plastic bayonet ...
Size and weight of the PL3 with Zuiko 14-150 are virtually identical to the current mega (horror) -Zoom cameras a'la FZ100 (approximately 600g) and are thus well below the values 1/3 GH2.
I'm not going to detail a (which are many others do), only in brief the main pros and cons of PL3:
+ Very good image quality up to ISO 800
+ Very fast, more accurate autofocus (with sufficient light)
+ Continuous shooting 5fps
+ Good folding screen, I like the option to fold significantly better than the Panasonic variant in which you have to swing out the screen first and then rotate it just goes faster (of course a matter of taste)
+ Small, light
+ Good, intuitive menus
+ No verdongelter battery (like Panasonic) -> second battery is affordable
- Image quality at higher sensitivities (ISO 1600) considerably worse than in the GH2
- Sensor-shift image stabilization significantly weaker than lens stabilization in Panasonic lenses
- No live view at sequential shots, that object tracking is a matter of luck
- Video without true image stabilizer you should not do -> Tripod for Video mandatory
- Aufsteckblitz is not a particularly ingenious solution
- A good viewfinder (like the GH2) would be nice, though there as an option, but that's it first stay with compact and also a tremendous need out.
Anyone interested in a PL3, apparently has certain preferences for lightweight and compact designs. It is unlikely that you can consciously At length a small camera, and then lugging a large lens-Zoo. Therefore, I take it then times of me to others and assume that the typical PL3 users will mostly use a suitable for him "always-on" lens. With this in mind here an attempt at differentiation from other camera systems:
When a focal length range up to short telephoto is sufficient could be a good compact camera such as Canon G12, Panasonic LX5, Nikon P7000, etc. in normal light conditions are sufficient. Advantages of PL3 are speed variability (you can hold it out a long telephoto lens or a more extreme wide use) and image quality, especially in low light, drawbacks are weight, size and price.
Although now some will cry out: The PL3 can be quite a megazoom camera more than replace. It is with the Zuiko 14-150 (equivalent 28-300 KB) not larger and heavier than current horror zoom cameras Panasonic FZ100 a'la etc., but provides much better images. And also the large zoom range at the Mega-zoom does not sting: I have made a friend in the best light pictures with his FZ100 at 600mm KB-equivalent and the PL3 at 150mm with "digital 2x teleconverter" (= Digital Zoom) , which corresponds also 600mm KB-equivalent. The images of PL3 were visibly better than the FZ100 despite digital zoom. Of course, this is a comparison against Porsche Opel, but here the Porsche has even times daily benefits!
The advantage of PL3 towards the Panasonic μFT cameras (G3, GF3) is first of all the fact that no image stabilized lenses must be used, these turn out so basically smaller, leicher and cheaper. However, the camera's internal image stabilization lens-based image stabilization is noticeably inferior and in particular obviously not suitable for filming. The biggest shortcoming at Panasonic, however, that there is currently not a very good image stabilized μFT super zoom lens in the range 14-150, one sees times from the more than 1,000-euro Leica 14-150 for FT connection. This frustrating experience I have picked up my GH2 with the Panasonic 14-140. And, no, it's not broken! On slrgear. com, you can see the difference with the Zuiko clear it really is so blatantly.
And as Sony NEX 3/5 / C3? The larger APS-C sensor delivers in extreme situations certainly better pictures, but also needs mechanich considerably larger lenses (physics may indeed be so mean ..). Who wants to have it small and compact, is as wrong. Even if the housing of the Sony NEX is still smaller than the PL3: When 18-200 Super-Zoom Camera mutated toward the lens hood with timer, the overall structure is but ultimately bigger and heavier than the PL3 with 14-150 (the same KB-äquivaltener focal length range approx 28-300).
Conclusion:
Who minimal dimensions and weight and a super zoom lens are not as important or who has not given up hope for a better image stabilized μFT super zoom lens, is probably especially with the Panasonic G3 (a slightly scaled-GH2's) better operated: benefits are better image stabilization, image quality at higher speeds, flash and viewfinder built, image-stabilized video capture possible, Live View with sequential shots, if you like it touch screen, etc .. The sum of these points also established my point deduction for PL3. The GF3 is a good alternative, but in combination with the moderate Panasonic 14-140 is ultimately larger and heavier than the PL3 with the Zuiko 14-150.
And if the 2kg + a seasoned DSLR equipment do not care, is served in this camp still the best and can adapt its photo equipment much more precisely to the individual needs.
But if just a good, fast, lightweight and compact camera, with apparent DSLR characteristics in performance and function for simple Photographing would like to have in the not too critical lighting conditions and video did not stand on his wish list at the top is well served with the PL3 , Especially in combination with the Zuiko 14-150 gives a very compact, lightweight and powerful "all-in-one" photo equipment. The PL3 (with lens) is currently probably sniff the most compact and lightest form DSLR air.
