Step up from Panasonic Lumix G3, what next?

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for any advice! I have owned Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 for a few months now and although it takes some great shots I am looking to trade it in for a full blown DSLR. I have learnt the photography basics, but I still consider myself a beginner. However, I now feel ready to make the step up to a full DSLR in order to further myself as a photographer.

My budget is £300-£500 and I don’t particularly mind which brand (although Canon/Nikon spring to mind) and am just after some tips on what I should maybe be considering for my first DSLR given my budget. I enjoy landscape and street photography primarily, here are some shots I have taken using my Lumix G3 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimardee/


Looking forward to hearing from you! Cheers.

What do you find limiting about your G3?

Hi and thanks for the reply...

I would just like something more robust with an optical view finder (dont like the LCD view finder at all!). Also the option for longer exposures for night photography too.

Maybe i'm also wondering if I will ever be taken seriously as a photographer without a full DSLR!

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I have a Canon 7D DSLR with 4 lenses and two Panasonic M4/3 cameras (GF1 and GH2) with 5 lenses. I use the Canon for most of my wildlife photography and the Panasonics for just about everything else. I couldn't care less if people don't take me seriously if I am not carrying a DSLR, it just shows that they don't know anything about photography.


The G3 is a very good camera and is just as capable as an entry level DSLR. Upgrading from your G3 to a DSLR won't improve your photography at all - to do that you need to improve your photographic skills which are much more important than the camera that you use.

If you want to take long night exposures you need a tripod. If you want to be "taken seriously as a photographer" carry the tripod around with you at all times. If you use it for all your shots and also use a remote shutter release people will think that you are a serious photographer. If you also use a light meter and a rectangular filter holder they will think that you are a famous photographer.

Jimardee said:

Jimardee wrote:

Hi all,

Thanks in advance for any advice! I have owned Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 for a few months now and although it takes some great shots I am looking to trade it in for a full blown DSLR. I have learnt the photography basics, but I still consider myself a beginner. However, I now feel ready to make the step up to a full DSLR in order to further myself as a photographer.

My budget is £300-£500 and I don’t particularly mind which brand (although Canon/Nikon spring to mind) and am just after some tips on what I should maybe be considering for my first DSLR given my budget. I enjoy landscape and street photography primarily, here are some shots I have taken using my Lumix G3 http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimardee/


Looking forward to hearing from you! Cheers.

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I'm not seeing anything in your album that screams "I need a DSLR," and with a £300-500 budget, you won't be stepping up, but moving sideways. Do you have just the kit lens? Have you considered supplementing it?

Thanks all, it seems I may have had some misplaced ideas as to how my current kit compares to what would be an entry level DSLR. I recently bought a telephoto zoom lens (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-H...E6TE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1353344094&sr=8-1) for the camera and it has improved things for me. I think maybe I should just get hold of a decent tripod and remote, then maybe try and improve my skills rather than taking a sideward step in terms of my camera.

Some great advice guys that will probably save me money in the long run… thanks!

Hi,

have been procrastinating for months as to wether I should buy the G3 or go for either the D3200, D5100, or a similar Canon. Having the same kind of worries as you ie 'should I be getting a DSLR if I really want to get serious?'. Having seen your pictures and read the review of the G3 at Cameralabs.com I think I have my answer. I don't care what it is, it takes fantastic pictures, and I want one! It has a full range of lenses, a good sensor, and full manual control. Without going over the £900 level, I think we've made the right choice.

Hope this helps. Great pictures.

Mr HW said:

Mr HW wrote:

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Mr HW said:

Hi,

have been procrastinating for months as to wether I should buy the G3 or go for either the D3200, D5100, or a similar Canon. Having the same kind of worries as you ie 'should I be getting a DSLR if I really want to get serious?'. Having seen your pictures and read the review of the G3 at Cameralabs.com I think I have my answer. I don't care what it is, it takes fantastic pictures, and I want one! It has a full range of lenses, a good sensor, and full manual control. Without going over the £900 level, I think we've made the right choice.

Hope this helps. Great pictures.

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Thanks very much for your photo comments Mr HW!

I am very glad that I posted this question on here as I have decided to stick with my G3. As those who know more than I have said, it probably would just be a step sideways getting an entry level budget DSLR. The G3 is a decent camera for someone of my current level of skill and it does take some cracking shots with the right additional kit. I would definitely recommend the camera along with an additional telephoto lens (if you can afford it!)

Hi again,

would you mind me asking which additional lenses you use with your G3? I was considering getting a 14mm or 20mm pancake lens for the rather crass reason that it will make it even smaller, more portable, and more likely to get used in situations where luggage must be at a minimum.

I read a lot about how the 'kit' lenses on most cameras aren't up to much, but can feel myself getting sucked into a money pit without the evidence to justify it.

Anyway, I'm so relieved to have stopped the endless researching, and will be getting my G3 as soon as everyone else's Xmas presents are bought!

Bye for now.

The kit lenses on the m4/3's are just fine, but some are better than others.

What you seem to be describing is a G3 body and 20mm f/1.7 lens combination.

All the info you need is on the "Micro Four Thirds Talk" forum, where the user's congregate.

Now that you've decided to keep the G3, try the "Micro Four Thirds Talk" forum for info. We're the one's using them.