Panasonic Announces Tiny, Feature-Lacking GF3

It took a year and a half for Panasonic to add the GF2 to the wonderful (big) pocket-sized GF1 mirrorless Micro Four Thirds camera. Now, just five months later, we have another one — the GF3. This camera is even smaller and feature lacking than the already cut down GF2, showing that Panasonic is clearly taking this line down to the consumer level.

The camera still has a 12MP sensor, just like its two older (and smarter) brothers. It combines this with a new processor (the Venus Engine found in the bigger GH2 and G3) which allows faster auto focus and generally makes the camera snappier. It also gets some new “Photo Styles” and a new filter called miniature, aka tilt-shift, and focus-tracking when shooting video.

Much bigger is the list of what the camera has lost. Minimum ISO climbs from 100 to 160, the rear click dial has gone, as has the stereo mic of the GF2. The flash is now top center, but the hotshoe has gone, meaning you can't add an accessory viewfinder or a flash.

For those stepping up from a compact camera the fast response, big sensor and interchangeable lenses will be a huge difference, and many will buy this instead of an SLR. For enthusiasts who loved the GF1, it looks like the end of the GF line in terms of them being useful cameras. Thankfully, all those Micro Four Thirds lenses you bought can be used on Olympus' Pen EP series cameras, which seem to be taking things a little more seriously.

The GF3 will be on sale in July with the slow and wide 14mm ƒ2.5 pancake lens ($700), and in August with the 14-42mm ƒ3.5-5.6 kit lens ($600).

Panasonic GF3 product page [Panasonic]

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