GH3 Current model roundup: GH3, G6, GX7 and NEW GM1

M. Gilden

M. Gilden

Canon DSLR Moderator
Panasonic has been busy.

I've been considering something to upgrade my workhorse pair of GH2s, but just haven't gotten around to it in a while (and they still perform quite well!). But everytime I turn around, there's a new Panasonic mirrorless compact, and almost all of them appear to be worthy of shooting prosumer quality clean video!

I've been doing some digging, and decided to post this as a sort of roundup/list of current models.
Bear in mind that I don't actually own any of these (yet) so please fill me in / correct me where necessary!

1) GH3
We all know this one. It replaced the GH2 as the flagship hybrid on their lineup, and brought the critically acclaimed Sony sensor previously seen in the OM-D. First of this class from Panasonic to have audio monitoring and codec options, bigger and pro-level build quality.
Pros:
- Excellent dynamic range and highlight rolloff
- Audio monitoring via headphone jack
- Weather sealed body
- High end codec options (all I-frame FTW!)
- 1080/60p

Cons:
- Sensor has a bit of moire compared to the GH2 (boo!)
- Noise? (I've been hearing some ISOs are noisy past 400- not sure about this one, chime in!)
- No focus peaking
- WiFi support isn't useful for video (again, correct me if I'm wrong guys- I heard it does not live monitor during video recording)

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2) G6
The G6 has been called the spiritual successor to the GH2, being the same size and mostly identical under the hood (same sensor, etc). However, they added 1080/60, better color (an extra stop of DR is claimed, and colors appear to be more similar to GH3), WiFi which is actually useful for video (can live monitor from a phone or tablet, as well as remotely control all during recording), and focus peaking.
Pros:
- Same lack of moire/aliasing as the GH2
- FOCUS PEAKING!!!
- Cheaper than GH3
- Better color and DR than GH2 (although perhaps not as good as GH3's sensor)
- Compatible with GH2 accessories (cages, batteries, etc)
- WiFi can be used to remote control and turn any phone/tablet into a wireless monitor
- More efficient version of AVCHD codec than GH2 (so I've heard)

Cons
- No headphone monitoring for audio
- HDMI out is disabled during filming (!!! at least we can use the Wifi app, but that's surprising)

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3) GX7
This little guy is stylish and small, and has a truly unique EVF that can tilt upwards. Like the G6, it has focus peaking and a WiFi app that can be used as a remote monitor, however it not only lacks a headphone jack but any audio jack at all- that's right, no mic jack. Picture seems to be very good, comparable with the previous two on this list, using some sort of Panasonic sensor, but dual system sound is a REQUIREMENT not just an option on this one.
Pros:
- Very small and compact body
- unique flippable EVF
- Better moire and aliasing than GH3 (I'm guessing on the level of the G6?)
- FOCUS PEAKING!!!
- Cheaper than GH3 (but not much anymore)

Cons:
- Internal audio only, no headphone or mic jack
- No HDMI live monitoring

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4) GM1
I just found out about this recently. This is the smallest option yet, smaller than the BMC pocket cam (possibly smallest MFT body yet?), while offering a picture that rivals the GH3 (Andrew Reid claims it beats the GH3, but I'd take that with a grain of salt). Still has focus peaking, however loses the 60p at full HD. Not sure yet if this one supports the WiFi connectivity that the others do for wireless monitor.
Pros:
- Smallest body yet
- Video quality may be better than GH3? (jury still out on that)
- FOCUS PEAKING!!

Cons:
- Body too small for EVF or hotshoe
- No mic or headphone jack
- No 60p at 1080p


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Personally, these all seem like decent upgrades to the GH2, but I don't like the idea of losing the mic jack and HDMI out during recording. The smaller size of the GX7 and GM1 seems lost if you need an external audio recorder for running and gunning anyway.

So that has me leaning towards the GH3, except the GH3 doesn't have peaking and last I checked the WiFi didn't live feed during recording (which seems to be surprisingly useful). It also feels funny knowing that the GH3 is capable of moire/aliasing where the GH2's sensor didn't, so I'm sort of at a toss up between the G6 and GH3, with the GX7 and GM1 being really interesting pocketable B-cams with comparable (if not outperforming, depending on who you ask) video quality.

Thoughts?
 
I've now heard a couple of people say or imply that the GM1 and GX7 have slightly better (at least sharper and less moire) image than the GH3. As for which you should get, that will really depend on what kinds of projects you shoot. If you're looking for the run and gun factor, I think the GH3 wins because of the mic and headphone jacks. It's a shame that you can't have that AND focus peaking on the same body.

If you're looking for two cameras to replace your two GH2s, you could get a GH3 and a GM1. Focus peaking on one body and mic/headphone on another. I heard someone point out how useful the GM1 can be given its size and image quality. You could take it into places where the GH3 would not be able to go, and you could also mount it in places where a GH3 wouldn't fit, or perhaps use a less expensive and more lightweight steadicam-type stabilizer.

Anyway, if you think of the features on the bodies, and particularly the headphone and peaking features, you realize that the GH3 is in one group and all the other bodies are in another group. So if you're picking two cameras, it would make sense to get a GH3 and any of the others, depending on your uses.

The possibilities are nearly endless. It's just great to have a system as flexible as m43 available to us.
 
Shenan said:
I've now heard a couple of people say or imply that the GM1 and GX7 have slightly better (at least sharper and less moire) image than the GH3.
Click to expand...

Right, I've heard that it's basically the Panasonic based sensors vs the the GH3's Sony one. Panny has the chops to pump out clean video efficiently, whereas the Sony sensor still does some less-than-steller line resample thing. But the color on the GH3 was supposed to be nicer, that is, until I see a guy with a rather popular camera blog claiming the GM1 has better video. ::scratches head::

As for which you should get, that will really depend on what kinds of projects you shoot. If you're looking for the run and gun factor, I think the GH3 wins because of the mic and headphone jacks. It's a shame that you can't have that AND focus peaking on the same body.
Click to expand...

I have theorized that Panasonic did that on purpose. The GH3 leaked specs originally said peaking, but it didn't happen. Lower models later did. It seems almost like Panasonic wanted to make sure no single model have everything in order to directly compete with the AF100 at this price point. The rumored GH4, on the other hand, may be another story (and price point, which still holds by my theory).

So that's a tough call. Yes, the GH3's audio for run and gun is superior. But if I need a monitor to focus assist, that makes it less run-and-gunnable. And the G6, vice versa (need an audio recorder). Then again, if coming from the GH2, you are already used to these limitations, so pick your poison. I like that the G6 is cheaper and less likely to moire. Hmm. Wasn't planning on trying to replace both, or any necessarily right now. I've been considering it, but noticed there is a lack of topics in the forum spelling out the options. Figured this thread would be a helpful discussion, if not for me than for whoever else is thinking of upgrading their GH2.
 
I'd wait for the next 5bill sale on the g6. Hard to beat that ! I just got mine this week after purchasing it during the black friday sale....had to get to mex. Things I like so far. Really light weight. The new kit lens makes it even tinier, and hardly breaths. Sweep panorama mode. 1080/30 & 60p in mpeg. Peaking on my fd's. I'm going from a gh1 so the new evf is great in comparison, and makes MF even easier. Af seems alot faster. Not to mention timelapse and stopmotion. Considering that my first digital camera was the first rebel and I paid a grand, to get a camera with this many features for half the price, is frankly unbelievable. I'll be eagerly awaiting the next model...to see what pany has up their sleeves, and to get a second g6 body....maybe a pal for 25p mpeg...or hopefully by that time they'll be offering the 12-32 or 14-140 kits. Things I don't like....no manual control on the creative filters. Not as rugged but that might be an illusion because the polycarbonate body might be even better. And the lugs are definitely better. I just lost my gh1 lug and it was not good.
 
M. Gilden said:
Right, I've heard that it's basically the Panasonic based sensors vs the the GH3's Sony one. Panny has the chops to pump out clean video efficiently, whereas the Sony sensor still does some less-than-steller line resample thing. But the color on the GH3 was supposed to be nicer, that is, until I see a guy with a rather popular camera blog claiming the GM1 has better video. ::scratches head::
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Well, I think that could be explained by color being a very subjective thing. Detail, aliasing, and moire are very objective, so someone could claim that the GX7/GM1 are better, even if someone else may disagree on the color aspect.

I have theorized that Panasonic did that on purpose. The GH3 leaked specs originally said peaking, but it didn't happen. Lower models later did. It seems almost like Panasonic wanted to make sure no single model have everything in order to directly compete with the AF100 at this price point. The rumored GH4, on the other hand, may be another story (and price point, which still holds by my theory).
Click to expand...
I don't know, I tend to believe what others have speculated here before, which is that the GH3 was just a hurried model. They were trying to hit a specific deadline, and because of that, had to use a Sony sensor, and a less-powerful processor that apparently hampers the ability to implement focus peaking. Another possibility is that they were just completely surprised by the demands for focus peaking. I don't recall exactly, but when the GH3 was released, were there ANY other DSLR-category cameras with focus peaking (aside from Magic Lantern)?

So that's a tough call. Yes, the GH3's audio for run and gun is superior. But if I need a monitor to focus assist, that makes it less run-and-gunnable. And the G6, vice versa (need an audio recorder). Then again, if coming from the GH2, you are already used to these limitations, so pick your poison. I like that the G6 is cheaper and less likely to moire. Hmm. Wasn't planning on trying to replace both, or any necessarily right now. I've been considering it, but noticed there is a lack of topics in the forum spelling out the options. Figured this thread would be a helpful discussion, if not for me than for whoever else is thinking of upgrading their GH2.
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True, although I generally see the lack of a microphone jack as a bigger impediment than lack of focus peaking. I had a GH2 (it got stolen), and was able to manual focus ok without peaking. I haven't shot with the GH3, and have heard mixed reviews on the EVF with regard to manual focusing. I think that there was a thread here a short while ago about exactly this topic. I seem to recall that some people indicated they prefer to use a loupe on the LCD. You could try the GH3 and see if it would do ok for you without peaking.

Now, if you don't mind double-system sound (I think it's a pain, myself), you could buy any of the other cameras, and get this (which I also saw mentioned here recently): http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=966010&Q=&is=REG&A=details - not much bigger than other popular DSLR add-on microphones, but does its own recording and provides its own microphone jack for monitoring. Seems like the most convenient option, after having a headphone jack and decent audio circuitry and controls on the camera itself.

Whatever you do, just look at all the reviews and comparisons carefully and try to do your own tests to confirm. I've heard it mentioned a few times that the G6 particularly has some video image issues.
 
I have the G6. It and the GX7 are the only ones that do 1080-60p in ETC mode. That is a very important video mode for what I do.

I found that running the G6 with an Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens on my jib pole stabilizer to be the ultimate light weight run and gun setup. You get a fast medium wide for stabilizer work. On the pole I get stabilized 12' jib crane effects and can then swap over to ETC mode and have an equivalent 85mm f/1.8 for portrait type work without changing out any hardware. With the kit lens and my 100-300mm, I get an equivalent 24mm-1500mm focal range in a complete setup that weights less than 6 1/2 lbs. (tripod, stabilizer and three lenses combined). It's just a crazy good system for ultra light weight run and gun work.

No matter how you go you won't be disappointed.

Cheers,
Pete
 
I just got a pair of G6's to supplement the GH2 and I love them. It stinks that you can't have HDMI out when you're shooting, but the screen on the G6 is beautiful, plus is has the focus peaking. The Wifi app actually works great, especially for framing with the iPad. The lack of a headphone jack was not a dealbreaker for me, but some would say I like to live dangerously.
 
By the way, if any current GH3 owners can chime in and verify... The live streaming still goes dead in the wifi app once you hit record, right?

I've seen demonstrations of the G6 and GX7 being used with a tablet as an external live monitor, but the app was in its infancy when the GH3 came out and AFAIK, the feature was never flushed out. Is that still the case? Did they never enable it?
 
M. Gilden said:
By the way, if any current GH3 owners can chime in and verify... The live streaming still goes dead in the wifi app once you hit record, right?
Click to expand...

Yes. Nothing changed. Actually there is a new app called Panasonic Image App which allows live view (plus focus-peaking!) with minor latency while shooting with the GM1 - but not for the GH3. So either this is another unsolvable problem (like missing focus peaking) which may be connected to wiring or processing in the camera .... or one happy day in the future a firmware update may arrive to allow this.

The absence of a bigger firmware update can have two reasons: Either we are technically where we are with this camera or Panasonic has no interest in further updates. Both not deal-breakers but a bit annoying for an otherwise - in my view - very good dual-purpose camera.
 
Rolf Silber said:
Yes. Nothing changed. Actually there is a new app called Panasonic Image App which allows live view (plus focus-peaking!) with minor latency while shooting with the GM1 - but not for the GH3. So either this is another unsolvable problem (like missing focus peaking) which may be connected to wiring or processing in the camera .... or one happy day in the future a firmware update may arrive to allow this.

The absence of a bigger firmware update can have two reasons: Either we are technically where we are with this camera or Panasonic has no interest in further updates. Both not deal-breakers but a bit annoying for an otherwise - in my view - very good dual-purpose camera.
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If you look at the first post, you'll see this isn't exclusive to the GM1, but rather pretty much every camera Panasonic has released since the GH3, including the G6 and GX7. All three support live view during recording to the app (latency isn't even that bad, from what I've seen), and all three support focus peaking.

Its so silly, I can't decide which way I'd recommend or rather go myself at this point. GH3 has the high bitrate codecs and audio, not to mention the HDMI out (as well as a larger user base, which is important when it comes to working out workflow kinks with the hive mind), but it seems like the other offerings have more interesting modern features that are super useful. From what I've seen/heard, the codec on the G6/GX7/GM1 is somehow more efficient than the GH2, and folks seem happy enough without any kind of hack or high bitrate like the GH3.

But we don't see threads talking about the best workflow tips for a GX7, or a review of a battery grip for the G6, or what the sound recording noise levels.... you only see the enthusiast groups putting the GH3 through paces like that (as they did for the GH2 before that). I've never considered myself much of a follower, I tend to not really care what others think, but there is something to be said for choosing the more "popular" camera. I may have the choose the GH3 based on that alone, even though I think I might like the G6 more!
 
The choice is if you want a consumer carryaround camera with peaking, or a prosumer rigged camera with better codec. From the rumor sites, a new G model will come next year, but they say the gh3 won't be replaced by the rumored gh4k, so I'd guess there will be deep discounts on the g6 and maybe a greater discounted price on the gh3 when the 4k model is released. Using the discount prices we saw on the g5, you can expect to pick a g6 up for $400. Today there's about a $300 price difference at B&H between the 2 cameras, with the gh3 around $900. If you're thinking about getting the gh4k, then just getting the g6 to hold you over makes alot of sense. I'd guess it'll get discounted again after the holidays.
 
kurth said:
The choice is if you want a consumer carryaround camera with peaking, or a prosumer rigged camera with better codec.
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Yes, but in this situation, it appears that "consumer" and "prosumer" are nothing more than marketing terms. Is the G6 any more consumer than the GH2 was? Sure, the GH3 has a more rugged build quality, but I don't recall anyone looking at the GH2 and saying "gosh, if only this thing were weather sealed". The GH2 was considered Prosumer if I recall, and the G6 is really the same thing with some improvements more-or-less.

It all comes down to features at the end of the day. What features are more valuable to you as a shooter. Its a tough call.

But you raise some excellent points about waiting for prices to drop. That will likely happen soon.
 
M. Gilden said:
But you raise some excellent points about waiting for prices to drop. That will likely happen soon.
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The GX7 today is $728 body only Samy's @ Amazon or Samy's direct site.

Probably the beginning of these price drops.

The G6 is a good value, but the GX7 and GH3 footage look consistently better to me and superior built cameras than the G6. The G6 is not as solid as the build quality of the GH2. You may want to consider demo'ing one if you think build may influence your decision.

Not completely knocking it/is good for the price, but worth considering.
 
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M. Gilden said:
But you raise some excellent points about waiting for prices to drop. That will likely happen soon.
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You can get a G6 for about $400 on eBay. When I learned that, I pulled the trigger and bought a pair that same day. In addition, if you're coming from the GH2, the G6 uses the same batteries and can actually be used with generic batteries (it shows the meter unlike the GH2). Comparisons of the G6 and GH3 look pretty similar in my opinion, so to me it's a no-brainer. Though I agree with you, there is a serious lack of material online about the G6. It's really a hidden gem!
 
For me hands down the GH3 mainly for the 50mbps recording. With this you almost don't need a hack and equals some very high quality video footage in even the most extreme action environments. That is something you may likely never see from the other cameras listed.

Yeah some of the newer ones having peaking and out of the box may have the illusion of a bit more detail but I would gladly take a video captured with 50mbits where I know it can stay solid as opposed to not knowing if 24mbps will be enough to handle the situation. Since many shoot with vintage lenses or at least with the detail dialed down a bit the whole detail thing is moot anyway.

Another major reason to choose the GH3. Film production accessories. Sure maybe with some clever adapting some accessories can be made to work but since the GH3 is aimed more at film making you are more likely to see film related products designed for it. Think the HONU cage for example.

To me having a professional camera means as much flexibility as it does raw image quality. This is one of the things that make professional cameras stand out from consumer cameras. With the GH3 I can do just about anything in any environment and can adapt the camera easily. If I am in a pinch and need to feed audio into the camera I can do so. If I need to shoot 50mbps instead of 24mbps I can do so.
 
Is the G6 any more consumer than the GH2 was?
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yep...I'd say considerably. I try to look on the positive side and say that it's really nice being so lightweight, but there's a considerable difference in build quality.
 
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