Either way, all three models would happily sit inside a coat pocket with the right lens attached, and all three are quite some way smaller than even the smallest of DSLRs. Panasonic's implementation allows a higher degree of user control than offerings from its competitors. This can be fixed either in-camera via the EV compensation function or with dedicated image editing software post capture. The camera was praised for its improvements in jpeg colour rendering and high iso over the previous Panasonic GF2 model but criticised the GF3 for its lack of external controls and hotshoe (preventing use of the Panasonic viewfinder or flash system) and the older 12MP sensor which is showing its age against the newer Panasonic sensors and the larger APS-C sensors used in the Sony NEX cameras.

GF3 1350 Watt Fully - Scan Thermaltake Toughpower GEN 5 GF3 1350 Watt Fully - Scan

On a more positive note, the the GF3 is quite fast at re-focusing (although not as fast as for still images), and having this system is much better than not being able to auto-focus at all, as with most current DSLR cameras that offer video recording. There is a collection of auto focus modes comprising, AF Tracking, 23-Area, 1-Area, Face detection AF and the new Pinpoint AF mode first seen on the G3. The usual selection of Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual are available for the more experienced photographers. Intelligent Auto (iA) mode, as seen on Panasonic’s latest compacts exploits a number of technologies including Scene detection, face detection, digital red-eye removal, Intelligent ISO, Intelligent exposure, Long shutter noise reduction, Quick AF, focus priority and backlight compensation to deliver a seamless automatic experience that has an uncanny ability of figuring out what you’re trying to take.You can also change the in-camera sharpening level by tweaking the Film Mode, with five different settings available. There are three available strengths - low, standard and high - and an Extended option which increase the zoom range.

GF3 1650W Gold - TT Premium Edition - Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1650W Gold - TT Premium Edition - Thermaltake

So if you like to seek out unusual angles, or like to shoot from the waist those models might suit you better. The rear thumb wheel has gone as have the hot shoe and electronic viewfinder port, while the earlier stereo mics have been replaced with a mono one. Additionally there is a custom mode which allows you to configure your favourite settings and quickly access them. There is a little bit of focus hunting going on, but a bigger problem is operating the zoom ring on the 14-42mm kit lens, which can be a little sticky and hard to turn smoothly. Panasonic's Photo Styles, similar to Nikon's Picture Styles, Canon's Picture Controls and Olympus' Picture Modes, are preset combinations of different sharpness, contrast, saturation and noise reduction settings.Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited. Panasonic’s Q Menu is is at the core of it, providing quick access to commonly used functions and alowing a high degree of customisation. Though you can use the physical buttons to access the screen-based functions, it soon becomes second nature to use the touch screen. Ultimately the GF3 succeeds in offering these users a range of features which may be completely new to them but in a package that is neither intimidating nor prohibitively costly. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 has a pretty good Burst mode which enables you to take 4 frames per second for an unlimited number of JPEG images at the highest image quality, or 7 RAW images.

GF3 1000W Gold - TT Premium Edition - Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W Gold - TT Premium Edition - Thermaltake

It’s really hard not to like the GF3 – it’s very small, very stylish, very easy to use and is capable of delivering very good image quality too. The two are very similar in size: the GF3 is a little bit taller, with a circular bulge on the top plate to accommodate its built-in pop-up flash (the Sony requires an additional bolt-on unit). But one thing both those models have over the Lumix GF3 is that their screens aren’t fixed, but can flip up or down. For photographers who need advanced photo editing options, Pixelmator Pro for macOS offers layer-based editing, machine learning-powered adjustment and selection tools, and features such as Denoise and Super Resolution.

Thus the 14mm lens affords the same field of view as a 28mm lens on a traditional 35mm camera, while the 14-42mm offers the 35mm equivalent of 28-84mm.

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ISO 3200 exhibits quite visible noise and loss of fine detail, and the fastest setting of ISO 6400 is even noisier but still usable. We can only speculate that the reason the GF3 doesn’t use the same chip as the G3 is as a point of differentiation between the two models, one that helps to establish the G3 as the more enthusiast-orientated option of the two.

Much of the outer casing is fashioned from aluminum and this certainly contributes to a premium feel overall.