GH3 DxO Mark Rates the GH3 as Head of the MFT Class

B

Benjobe

Well-known member
Actually, they rate it's overall score as a virtual tie with the Olympus OM-D EM-5 and PEN E-PM2, but that's still pretty good! Here's the link:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-GH3

Compared to the GH2: 1.1 stop more latitude, 157 ISO more sensitive, and slightly more color bit depth (although I think that's only for photos).

So considering all these improvements, is the $1300 price tag worth it to upgrade from the GH2? I'd say so.

Extra Bonus: the GH3 has more latitude than the Canon 5D MkIII!
 
I read everything I could on practical comparisons between these two cameras before buying, and I came to a different conclusion: a used GH2 for $550, versus $1,300 for the GH3? Buy two GH2s! A stop of latitude is always good to have, of course, but reflectors and use of ND filters will help achieve a similar outcome, I feel.
 
Kit_L said:
I read everything I could on practical comparisons between these two cameras before buying, and I came to a different conclusion: a used GH2 for $550, versus $1,300 for the GH3? Buy two GH2s! A stop of latitude is always good to have, of course, but reflectors and use of ND filters will help achieve a similar outcome, I feel.
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Why not buy 3 or 4 GH1's then......

I mean GH1 with HACK looks great right?
/sarcasm
 
the GH3 is a 4K RAW camera. . .in timelapse mode.

Actually I think there is a mile of difference between a GH2 and GH3, the GH3 definitely has a different look than a hacked GH2, its pretty subjective whether a look is better or worse. I will say that the price on clean used GH2s is holding up way better than what happened to GH1s when the GH2 came out.
 
This proves that the GH3 is an improvement from the GH2 in almost every way. I think it definitely justifies upgrading, especially if you keep your GH2 as a B camera, which is exactly what I've done.

More latitude, greater ISO sensitivity, better IQ, and a headphone jack! What's not to love?
 
when i got the gh2 in my hands it felt like a slight upgrade, but when I hold and use the gh3 it just feels more refined, cant explain it. My first field test was photos at a wedding and the extra dynamic range and latitude in post is just wow. button layout and extra features. Well worth it IMO. only dissapointing thing is the EVF, LCD is wow too. I bought it for weather sealed body, 1080 50p, wi fi, longer battery life, headphone jack, no green cast, improved iso performance, silent shutter, and timelapse and i got all that so i am happy. whatever comes from vitaly is a bonus.

I have two gh1's and a gh2 as b cams now.
 
Do these scores also apply to the video mode?

It scores 12.4 stops of dynamic range. Is that in video mode as well? That's pretty good for a non dedicated video camera I must say then...
Actually, that's pretty close to the 13 stops of the BMCC... I am really curious now :)
 
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Stab said:
Do these scores also apply to the video mode?

It scores 12.4 stops of dynamic range. Is that in video mode as well? That's pretty good for a non dedicated video camera I must say then...
Actually, that's pretty close to the 13 stops of the BMCC... I am really curious now :)
Click to expand...

I'd guess around 11 or 11.5 at most in video mode.
 
Guys, come on, you can't seriously be comparing GH3 to BMCC.

GH2 has about 8 stops of kind of usable dr, GH3 seems to have a stop more.
Please stop fantasizing. I wish they were comparable, but as far as dr is concerned, BMCC is in a different league.
 
brudney said:
Guys, come on, you can't seriously be comparing GH3 to BMCC.

GH2 has about 8 stops of kind of usable dr, GH3 seems to have a stop more.
Please stop fantasizing. I wish they were comparable, but as far as dr is concerned, BMCC is in a different league.
Click to expand...

You are right but I would just like to have 'hard figures' about the DR of the GH3 in video mode. The topic starts with the DXO score of 12.4 stops for the GH3's sensor, which sounds like a lot. But how much is 'lost' or 'usable' in video mode? How does that work?

Just curious.
 
Stab said:
Do these scores also apply to the video mode?

It scores 12.4 stops of dynamic range. Is that in video mode as well? That's pretty good for a non dedicated video camera I must say then...
Click to expand...
Actually, I have to raise an eyebrow at that particular DxOMark test result. Panasonic says the GH3 has a 12-bit image sensor, and if so, the laws of math would limit its theoretical maximum dynamic range to 12 stops. If DxOMark's 12.4-stops measurement is accurate, it suggests that Panasonic may be adding a bit of low-level dithering to the RAW output of the sensor, perhaps to smooth out banding in the shadow details? I'd be curious to find out more about this provocative result.
 
Like Lpowell I find the test suspect.

In my experience the 14-bit 5D3 has more latitude (& color) in RAW than the 12-bit GH3. For video I have no idea as I've only filmed once with the Canon, & only because it was easier to rig vertically than the AF100.
 
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I'm thinking of shooting a dynamic range test that compares my GH3 with my hacked GH2. Here's my idea, and please tell me if there are any flaws with it:

1. get a large sheet of ND 0.3 (1-stop)
2. cut it up into strips of varying length
3. layer the strips in such a way as to have a step-by-step transition from 1-stop, 2-stop, 3-stop and so on up to 12-stops.
4. put a very bright light behind this multi-layered strip of ND gels.
5. adjust the camera's aperture so that the brightest piece is exactly at 100% luminosity.
6. use a luminosity waveform to see exactly how many stops of latitude are recorded.

Any thoughts on whether that approach would work?
 
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