Actually, the Lumix G3 was not my first choice. Micro Four Thirds sensors seemed too small for me, I also had the G3 almost obsolete (2 years are almost an eternity in digital cameras). Finally, I then ordered me, because I had another DSLR back because of a defect. In mind, the Amazon 30-day return option. Conclusion: The time is up and I will not give her so quickly.
The image results are better than expected and hard to beat in its price range (around 330-379 euros with Kit / end of 2013) well.
Despite their small size, the camera is rock solid with the aluminum case, provided clearly and with all major controls that I need. The viewfinder is high resolution, clear and sharp and in some respects (motive control, information, magnifying for you. Focus, Night Vision) superior to an optical. Also the touch panel like and has my skepticism and prejudices (superfluous Spielkram) playfully overcome. However, it is resistive (pressure sensitive) and not capacitive like I was used to it with the iPhone. Through its free rotation and tilt completely new angles and perspectives are possible. Also, the point-focus by touch with the same trigger is fun. Pictures over his shoulder snap back - no problem! Quick 8 pictures via touch tap instead of deleting laboriously individually saves time.
Despite the almost tiny size, it brings a full-fledged mode dial and a Multifuktionsrad. Even otherwise, the operation is easy to learn and the menus are logically structured and reasonably clear (super easy if you already know other Panasonic cameras). The picture modes, however, was somewhat saved. There are color and scene modes on the dial.
The color modes a sepia mode there is indeed but not S / W. The latter is hiding somewhere else: In the "Rec" menu under "Picture Style". However, this has the advantage that I can produce JPEG photos in b / w and RAW images with a splash of color in the same time. In scene mode, there are the usual suspects for landscape and portrait but an (at least manual) Panorama mode are nowhere. For this you can switch off the lens detection allowing an infinite possibilities for the use of recycled glass fine manual.
Plastic kit lens 14-42 Unlock. 28-84, however, is rather average. It works perfectly, the autofocus is inaudible and incredibly fast and the OIS stabilizer compensates brave the light weakness at least partially out. It lacks a MF / AF switch and the zoom is rough no problem in photos but unsuitable for "tracking shots" in video mode.
The closure is classically loud like a classic analog camera (I like that though). When I then with an M42 adapter and old Pentagon (Carl Zeiss 59 / 1.8 lens from the bay) display fittings and optionally with my old Revue electronics flash will fully retro, makes brilliant pictures and double the fun. The manual focus there exclusively support a magnifying glass function in the viewfinder.
Even otherwise have manual intervention a strength of the camera - you just have to configure the menu (detailed instructions only on the net) just for it. Resharpening despite autofocus, manual correction in the extended iA + - no problem. Just beyond the normal snapshot and Urlaubsknipserei (this I have my Lumix TZ 10 with GPS) begins with the G3 of fun at first and does not end on.
+ Aluminum (dibasic, portable, stable)
+ Very good built-in viewfinder
+ Good display with meaningful touch functions
+ Flash Connection (even with old ISO Blitzen good)
(+/-) Kit lens - useful for photos, only limited use for video (pumping autofocus, Sluggish zoom, stabilization is not optimized for motion pictures), no focus ring on the lens.
(-) Buttons on the back to close to each other (unnecessary operation)
(-) No microphone connector
The "pure performance" of the camera I rate it with 4 stars, the fifth star there for the favorable price / performance ratio (12/2013).
