Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 user reviews (with 14-42mm lens, Black)

Pros AFTER READING REVIEWS I HAVE ORDERED A G3. I HAVE A G1 AND GF1. I CONSIDER THE PROSPECTIVE INCREASE IN QUALITY TO BE A PLUS. AS FOR WHOM IT IS DESIGNED- I AM A PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE LEICA SCHOOL SO HAVE BEEN USING MY LEICA LENSES. I ALSO SO USE OLD NIKKOR S

Cons FRANKLY WITH THE EQUIPMENT I OWN, I HAVE NO CONS.

Pros fast autofocus and very good photos in jpeg
full manual functions
built-in auto settings
view finder is handy
touch screen is great

Cons battery life, additional battery(ies) is a must when traveling
LCD screen may be not effective in bright lite environment but the view finder compensates that
the kit lens feel plasticky wish it is using better material to give a firmer grip

Summary superb camera to have and bring along for trips. No regrets of having it!

Pros size and weight image quality

Cons big fingers might find it hard to use the buttons

Summary I really could not understand the reviewers comment saying she did not know who this camera was made for.
It's obvious..........it is made for those who are getting rid of their heavy DSLR gear and want something lighter and more compact but producing more than acceptable image quality.
It is also made for the new breed of photographers who are stepping up from point and shoots and don't want to go through an excessive learning curve to use this camera.
You can make it as simple as you like or as complicated as you like it is up to the user.
I can say with some authority that the micro four thirds design mirrorless camera is the way to the future.
I for one have sold all my Canon 5DMK2 gear and am more than happy with this little beauty...who prints over A3 anyway ? most users dont even print photos, for me though 8x10 is big enough and you honestly cannot tell the difference between the image from a DSLR and this camera at 8X10, so for me its a no brainer,the days of the heavy DlSR gear are numbered and will remain the reserve of the professional whose needs are for demanding image quality but for anyone from the novice to the semi professional the G3 and cameras like it are the way to go.

Who knows we may even see the Paparazzi running around with this type of gear in the not to distant future

Pros Smaller, lighter than a DSLR but with many of the features of a DSLR.

Cons Battery life. Some of the button controls are a bit small.

Summary I think I am the target audience for the camera. I want to do things and I want a performance boost that you don't get with 99% of the point and shoot market. I can control shutter speeds and the iso range is far better than a point and shoot. Darker rooms where I'd normally have to use a flash, come out nice and even with more natural tones.

I do have problems with the camera though. The battery life is a bit short but this can be mitigated by turning the power on and off between shots. When a camera powers up in less than a second, its not so bad to do this. The second thing I do is use the view finder a lot. I actually miss the viewfinder on some of my point and shoots I have had over the past year. By not using the LCD display, battery life is also increased. This isn't to say battery life isn't short. It is and I agree that I don't see why they couldn't make the battery a bit bigger with a slightly larger hand grip, but doing a few power saving tricks doesn't make it a deal breaker.

I'm not a fan of touch screen controls, especially pressure sensitive ones like on the G3, but just about everything can be done via the buttons, so its not a big deal. I like the screen can be protected by flipping it over to not expose it and the fact that the EVF is automatically engaged when this is done. Still, I kind of wish the buttons were a bit larger, the screen a capacitive touch, battery larger, and the scroll wheel a bit less cheap feeling.

If you want to move up from a point and shoot but feel the costs associated with a DSLR may be too daunting for something you may not use as much to warrant the price, this camera is a good buy. If you are looking for something to replace a DSLR, I think you should stick to the DSLR. While you will get a smaller, lighter camera, I don't think the performance or battery life will wow you as much. If you are thinking of buying this as a replacement for a point and shoot, be warned that though small, it is still quite a bit larger than a point and shoot and may not be the best camera to take carefree shots with as say on an outing with friends.

Updated on Jul 22, 2011

Just took some pictures using the flash and I can see the barrel shadow from the lens. This shadow is pronounced at least at the 5-8 foot range. This doesn't bother me too much as one of the main reasons I got the camera is to take pictures in a low light situation without the flash but it is troubling. A secondary flash attachment is likely a future purchase.