Should I get a GH3 as a GH2 user?

I have been reading reviews about GH3 and the comparison with GH2. I like the new features of GH3, but bothered by some comments on issues that can affect the quality and usage

1) Moire

2) lights flickering.

3) View finder

How bad from your experience. I am to use 12-35mm and soon 35-100mm f2.8

Any other things that I need to be concerned about.

GH3 has dropped $50 and B&H has free microphone ($259 worth, if buyt he 35-100mm at the same time) . I would considering upgrade my GH2 if all the about issues are not too serious or have workaround.

thanks

georgec said:

georgec wrote:

I have been reading reviews about GH3 and the comparison with GH2. I like the new features of GH3, but bothered by some comments on issues that can affect the quality and usage

1) Moire

2) lights flickering.

3) View finder

How bad from your experience. I am to use 12-35mm and soon 35-100mm f2.8

Any other things that I need to be concerned about.

GH3 has dropped $50 and B&H has free microphone ($259 worth, if buyt he 35-100mm at the same time) . I would considering upgrade my GH2 if all the about issues are not too serious or have workaround.

thanks

Click to expand...

I personally have none of the issues you listed, as a matter of fact I think the EVF is better IMO. I believe the GH3 to be a better all around camera, feature wise, IQ and build quality I don't think you will have any regrets.

georgec said:

georgec wrote:

I have been reading reviews about GH3 and the comparison with GH2. I like the new features of GH3, but bothered by some comments on issues that can affect the quality and usage

1) Moire

2) lights flickering.

3) View finder

How bad from your experience.

Click to expand...

experience is good... well unless you have a crippled eyesight as couple of dudes here who were complaining about their inability to use EVF properly.

I have both. The issues you mention are non-issues for me. I prefer the EVF on the GH3 but I'd have liked the over-sized sensor of the GH2.

I really liked my GH2 but since having the GH3 have hardly used it. That is not a measure that I don't like the GH2, rather of how much I like the GH3.

bluelemmy said:

bluelemmy wrote:

I have both. The issues you mention are non-issues for me. I prefer the EVF on the GH3 but I'd have liked the over-sized sensor of the GH2.

I really liked my GH2 but since having the GH3 have hardly used it. That is not a measure that I don't like the GH2, rather of how much I like the GH3.

Click to expand...

I couldn't have said it better

15% off with EPP account at Panasonic may help you to make a decision.

georgec said:

georgec wrote:

I have been reading reviews about GH3 and the comparison with GH2. I like the new features of GH3, but bothered by some comments on issues that can affect the quality and usage

1) Moire

2) lights flickering.

3) View finder

How bad from your experience. I am to use 12-35mm and soon 35-100mm f2.8

Any other things that I need to be concerned about.

GH3 has dropped $50 and B&H has free microphone ($259 worth, if buyt he 35-100mm at the same time) . I would considering upgrade my GH2 if all the about issues are not too serious or have workaround.

Click to expand...

I had a GH2, and got a GH3. I think the IQ of the GH3 is phenomenal, but it ended up not being the right camera for me, and I ultimately wished I had kept the GH2 for the time being.

Your issues:
1) Moire....yes the GH3 definitely does have moire showing up more frequently than the GH2. It's not extreme, but it was worse than the GH2 in that respect. I found it occurred on generally "picket fence" type structures where the GH2 did not have a problem. (I have a photo of a factory with steel ribbed window shutters, and it was very obvious on that), but not much else.

2) No personal problems with lights flickering, but I do not usually shoot in fluorescent lighting situations.

3).Viewfinder: The viewfinder is one area that you will have to look and decide for yourself about when you try the camera. Some people have big problems with it, others have none at all. I was somewhere in the middle.

For me, I noticed the edge blur the first time I would use the camera, then I had no problem with it afterwards. The display is nice, bright, and clear, overall.

There were two viewfinder attributes that were, however, significant enough for my uses, that it affected my overall happiness with the camera.

These were:

1. Viewing area size...since the GH3 uses at 16:9 ratio screen in the EVF, the actual viewing area is smaller than that in the GH2. I prefer the largest EVF viewing screen size I can get, so this seemed a bit like a step backwards for me.
2. The OLED EVF does not agree in terms of color rendition with the rear screen, or with the actual colors of the scene. (This is even noted in the owner's manual, so it's not something that Panasonic was unaware of.)
   For most people, this is not an issue, as most use the EVF for just framing the scene. However, I take a lot of flower photos where color relationships and WB are very important, and I use the EVF to keep tabs on whether I have everything set right in terms of color and WB as I am shooting. (Yes, you can do that in PP, but it's still easier if you get it right in camera....) As a result, the inaccurate color rendition in the EVF made the camera considerably more difficult for me to use for my purposes.

If you do not have these particular issues with the camera, then the GH3 is going to be a significant step up for you from the GH2.

My suggestion? Buy a GH3, but don't sell your GH2 until you have had a chance to work with the GH3 for a few days. It will either knock you over with how good it is (and it is), or you will find that one of its very few idiosyncracies may lead you back to the GH2.

-J

Thank you and all others for the responses! From what I see, they are not deal breakers, something what I will get used to. It seems that GH3 is overall a significant upgrade from GH2.

I have the GH3 and I still have my GH2 as a backup camera. Moire is actually worse on the GH2. That whole thing started because a few preproduction GH3s had issues. However, they fixed that before they released it.

The GH3 EVF has some issues off center and it is debatable whether that is worse than what happens on the GH2. However, I never use the EVF anyway so that was not an issue for me.

What you will get is vastly superior image quality and simply the best 1080p @ 60 FPS video currently available. If you are into getting good results without putting a ton of effort into it then the GH3 is the camera to get. Its feature set is second to none.

the EPP account is not for everyone, right? How can I signup?

I have used the GH1, GH2 and now, the GH3.

As I use glasses, I find that I see less of the EVF with the GH3, compared with the GH2. Other than that, the GH3 EVF appears very good, better than the GH2. But the size of the pupil is smaller.

As for the flickering and the moiré, I have not experienced any such problems.

The GH3 is a totally different camera, as it is much larger and has better ergonomics.

Here is my review, with a comparison to the GH2:

http://m43photo.blogspot.com/2013/04/panasonic-gh3-review.html

thanks, nice review

The GH3 is a great camera and I've been thoroughly enjoying mine. I just got back from Cuba and took some great wedding pics and video with it. The ergonomics are excellent and the controls are plentiful. The camera is a pleasure to shoot with.

My advice on the EVF is to definitely check it out for yourself and see if you have any issues with it. The EVF is let's just say "different". It has a very low eyepoint and extremely narrow sweet spot. It's been mentioned in many reviews including DPReview's own in-depth review. The problem is not the OLED panel itself, but rather the plastic magnifying "bubble" mounted in front of it that has a very strong curvature to it.

georgec said:

georgec wrote:

I have been reading reviews about GH3 and the comparison with GH2. I like the new features of GH3, but bothered by some comments on issues that can affect the quality and usage

1) Moire

2) lights flickering.

Click to expand...

If your in video mode and the shutter speed is too fast this can happen. As a start shutter speed should be double frames per second. If you zoom with a variable aperture lens you will change exposure that is why you really need a fixed aperture lens if you have to zoom while actively video recording.

georgec said:

3) View finder

Click to expand...

Subjective, I used the OLED 99% of the time.

georgec said:

How bad from your experience. I am to use 12-35mm and soon 35-100mm f2.8

Any other things that I need to be concerned about.

GH3 has dropped $50 and B&H has free microphone ($259 worth, if buyt he 35-100mm at the same time) . I would considering upgrade my GH2 if all the about issues are not too serious or have workaround.

thanks

Click to expand...

The GH-3 is a nice camera that I just sold. Never thought this would happen so fast. It is a true pleasure to use. it is so comfortable to hold that is how great the hand grip is.

I do this as I learn and move from camera to camera looking for the best of the best. SO, if all you care about is stills the Fuji Xpro-1 or XE-1 are a a notch better than MFT's. I just sold my GH-3.

I only found out about Fuji while I had my GH-3 I needed a high end compact and ended up with the Fuji X20 as an introduction. I really liked the very usable optical viewfinder. I did not need another interchangeable lens system. Now they have killer rebates and that is why I did what I did. PLUS the sensor is larger than MFT's with a 1.5x crop for basically the same cost.

Video with the Fuji is not great like the GH-3. Autofocus is not as fast, but not a deal breaker. Its a take you time type of camera. If you ever shot film this is like having a digital version of that manual camera. Fuji XE-1 does not have pre-set programs so you are truly forced to get it right.

Oh, the lens selection is not nearly as large as MFT's, BUT the optics are great. All the lenses with no rebate all cost at least $600 so they are not cheap.

I did this when I switched from Nikon D90 and was 100% committed to MFT's, I ended up owning all Panasonic glass:

20 mm, 25 mm, 45 mm, 7-14, 14-45, 45-200, 35-100. I had the GF-1, GX-1 and GH-3. Along the way I sold the 20, 25, 14-45,45-200 and kept the rest till I made the switch about a week ago.

Promotion at B&H end tomorrow (if I recall) for the extra 4% cash back and the Fuji promotion ends June 29th. Most cameras regardless have that 4% cash back thing.

thanks a lot for the thought. I am also interested in video and GH3 suppose to have the best video around. I have GH2 plus 9-18,25,45,12-35,100-300 lens. Getting a 35-100mm with the GH3 should complete the collection for now.

Beside m43, I have a Canon 5D II and a few L lenses. Too heavy too carry around and also hard to take video. That is why m43 fit in.

For more information you may wish to look at my 10 part review of the GH3 on the Camera Ergonomics blog. The first part is here http://cameraergonomics.blogspot.com.au/#!/2013/03/lumix-gh3-review-part-1-introduction.html There is plenty of comparison with the GH2. If you can afford it the choice is easy, and the 12-35 and 35-100mm f2.8 lenses are excellent. I also reviewed those.

Good luck

Like any new camera it takes a few days to get the fit right, and to work around the differences. I went from a GH2 to the Sony A77, then back to the GH3 and no regrets.

Observations....

The viewfinder: Different, certainly from the A77 but it is a Viewfinder, not a display. I am having no problems with the exception of the noted variance in color rendition, slight!! and with glasses on the fact that you have to centre the eye a little more carefully, but remove the rubber cup and no problem with glasses.

Ergonomics: Way better than the GH2, feels solid and the buttons and controls are now like a home page, took a few days but feels really right now.

Images: As good as the OMD which I only had for 2 months, the ergonomics ruined that for me, the GH3 is in my mind, as good as when it comes to IQ, but as I said, it feels just right and performs brilliantly.

The best new feature from the GH2: I essentially sold the GH2 because I could not turn off the touch screen, drove me crazy when travelling as the focus point was never where I had set it, in the centre of the image view. So many shots were out of focus when in India, that I used the GH1 which I am glad I brought as a backup for wide angle shots. The GH3 allows you to turn off the touch screen totally, but it is there when I need it which is very rarely.

My opinion for what it is worth...

Phil





GH3 with the PanaLeica 25mm

--
http://matix.zenfolio.com

jalywol said:

jalywol wrote:

jalywol said:

georgec wrote:

I have been reading reviews about GH3 and the comparison with GH2. I like the new features of GH3, but bothered by some comments on issues that can affect the quality and usage

1) Moire

2) lights flickering.

3) View finder

How bad from your experience. I am to use 12-35mm and soon 35-100mm f2.8

Any other things that I need to be concerned about.

GH3 has dropped $50 and B&H has free microphone ($259 worth, if buyt he 35-100mm at the same time) . I would considering upgrade my GH2 if all the about issues are not too serious or have workaround.

Click to expand...

I had a GH2, and got a GH3. I think the IQ of the GH3 is phenomenal, but it ended up not being the right camera for me, and I ultimately wished I had kept the GH2 for the time being.

Click to expand...

Curious as to your reasons for preferring the GH2 over the GH3. Do they appear below ?

jalywol said:

Your issues:
1) Moire....yes the GH3 definitely does have moire showing up more frequently than the GH2. It's not extreme, but it was worse than the GH2 in that respect. I found it occurred on generally "picket fence" type structures where the GH2 did not have a problem. (I have a photo of a factory with steel ribbed window shutters, and it was very obvious on that), but not much else.

2) No personal problems with lights flickering, but I do not usually shoot in fluorescent lighting situations.

3).Viewfinder: The viewfinder is one area that you will have to look and decide for yourself about when you try the camera. Some people have big problems with it, others have none at all. I was somewhere in the middle.

For me, I noticed the edge blur the first time I would use the camera, then I had no problem with it afterwards. The display is nice, bright, and clear, overall.

There were two viewfinder attributes that were, however, significant enough for my uses, that it affected my overall happiness with the camera.

These were:

1. Viewing area size...since the GH3 uses at 16:9 ratio screen in the EVF, the actual viewing area is smaller than that in the GH2. I prefer the largest EVF viewing screen size I can get, so this seemed a bit like a step backwards for me.
2. The OLED EVF does not agree in terms of color rendition with the rear screen, or with the actual colors of the scene. (This is even noted in the owner's manual, so it's not something that Panasonic was unaware of.)
   For most people, this is not an issue, as most use the EVF for just framing the scene. However, I take a lot of flower photos where color relationships and WB are very important, and I use the EVF to keep tabs on whether I have everything set right in terms of color and WB as I am shooting. (Yes, you can do that in PP, but it's still easier if you get it right in camera....) As a result, the inaccurate color rendition in the EVF made the camera considerably more difficult for me to use for my purposes.

If you do not have these particular issues with the camera, then the GH3 is going to be a significant step up for you from the GH2.

My suggestion? Buy a GH3, but don't sell your GH2 until you have had a chance to work with the GH3 for a few days. It will either knock you over with how good it is (and it is), or you will find that one of its very few idiosyncracies may lead you back to the GH2.

Click to expand...

Matix said:

Matix wrote:

Like any new camera it takes a few days to get the fit right, and to work around the differences. I went from a GH2 to the Sony A77, then back to the GH3 and no regrets.

Observations....

The viewfinder: Different, certainly from the A77 but it is a Viewfinder, not a display. I am having no problems with the exception of the noted variance in color rendition, slight!! and with glasses on the fact that you have to centre the eye a little more carefully, but remove the rubber cup and no problem with glasses.

Ergonomics: Way better than the GH2, feels solid and the buttons and controls are now like a home page, took a few days but feels really right now.

Images: As good as the OMD which I only had for 2 months, the ergonomics ruined that for me, the GH3 is in my mind, as good as when it comes to IQ, but as I said, it feels just right and performs brilliantly.

The best new feature from the GH2: I essentially sold the GH2 because I could not turn off the touch screen, drove me crazy when travelling as the focus point was never where I had set it, in the centre of the image view. So many shots were out of focus when in India, that I used the GH1 which I am glad I brought as a backup for wide angle shots. The GH3 allows you to turn off the touch screen totally, but it is there when I need it which is very rarely.

Click to expand...

The FW 1.1 update for GH2 added a Setup Menu option for disabling Touch Screen completely.

Matix said:

My opinion for what it is worth...

Phil



GH3 with the PanaLeica 25mm

Click to expand...

Very nice shot ! ...

No problems with moire or lights flickering on the GH3. I preferred the GH2 viewfinder. But not by much. Neither of them has as good an EVF as the Olympus EM5.