GH2 GH3 - release schedule?

O

OldCorpse

Rockin the Boat
Anybody know what the release schedule of GH1 vs GH2 was? I'm trying to guess what the release schedule for the GH3 might be. I'm doing a project later this year, and I'm trying to plan what gear I'm going to be working with. With my budget, I was initially thinking GH2, but I've grown really weary with all the trouble with GH2 availability, so now I'm thinking maybe it makes more sense to just wait for the GH3 - if it's likely to be released this year. Anybody have any thoughts on what the chances are Panasonic will release a GH3 this year? I never postpone or time my projects depending on when what camera comes out, but at the same time, I don't buy any gear too long before a project starts, but rather try to buy it at the last moment... so that's why I'm wondering what the chances are. Thanks for you thoughts!
 
The GH1 was released on 24th of April 2009 and the GH2 was released on the 29th of October 2010 in Japan. So that is a gap of around 1 1/2 years, assuming they keep the same gap between the next generation it should be released around April 2012 so still 11 months away.
 
I would agree with Dazza on the 18 month window, at least that might be close. The GH2 was introduced at Photokina which I believe is an every other year show. Shipments didn't begin into the states until it was Dec. I believe. It would make sense to announce at a major show and I don't believe there's much before the Consumer Electronics show in what, January??? If distribution doesn't improve dramatically over the summer, I don't think it's going to get better, ever. That could also be a signal Panny is forsaking the GH2 and will roll out a GH3 early and try to put this whole fiasco behind them. We have to remember Panasonic's track record of stripping out and dumbing down their offerings. So that brings up the possibility of a cheaper, but more of a beater, GH3 being introduced. Case in point, the GS400 vs. the GS500, the high end consumer camcorders.

BTW..... these are all just wild assed guesses. :-)
 
my crystal balls say.... but seriously its all speculation, if you are prone to buying gear right before a project then assess your options then. keep in mind you may be out of luck on certain gear cause you expect it to be available when it may not be for some random reason. my wild guess is 1.5-2yrs per model as already mentioned =)
 
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Make that 2 years with the manufacturing and production delays, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc. I mean, it makes absolutely no sense on even mentioning a GH3.
 
Personally I've seen Pansonic release products very soon after what what many could perceive as being stuff up's...
the HPX200 was updated to a B version within 12mths and the HPX300 was updated with a HPX370 within 6mths...

I feel they messed up with the GH2 .. left all us PAL users with no real upgrade option... (Europe is quite a big marketplace ) not sure if GH2 are selling that well in other territories than the US...

I'm gonna take a punt and say they will release something by the end of the year...

Probably the biggest issue with new products is the development hiccups due to the quake...

Cheers
 
Lez said:
the HPX200 was updated to a B version within 12mths
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Not sure what you're talking about. There isn't an HPX200. If you mean HVX200, there was never an HVX200B at all, and the change from HVX200 to HVX200A didn't happen for about 30 months.

and the HPX300 was updated with a HPX370 within 6mths...
Click to expand...
Not true. The HPX370 came out 14 months after the HPX300.
 
yeah I suspect the strong sales of the GH2 will preclude any update for at least the rest of 2011 if not well into 2012. It's pretty much as good as it gets at that price point- not too many caveats from me. It rocks.

Noah
 
Thanks, folks. I'm happy with what the GH2 can do on paper... so if the GH3 is not coming out this year, I'm fine with getting the GH2. It's just so depressing to have these availability problems - I hate buying too far ahead of time. Oh well.
 
Lack of availability makes it even less likely the GH3 will come out anytime soon. Why would they invest R&D on the GH2 if demand is far outstripping the demand, just to invest even MORE R&D on the GH3 before they make money on the GH2?

They COULD... but that would be stupid.

I'd have to agree that early to mid 2012 is when you'll see the GH3.
 
agreed, but damn, it's taking some time to get used to. Im so use to Canon, and the way they setup their cams, it's been relly a difficult transition to pani for me. The thing im not so crazy about is that the menu, is only slightly self explanatory. I mean there's so many features for the same option it's hard to find the one you r looking for, if that makes any sense.

has anyone else found it difficult to go from canon to pani?
 
I went from a Powershot G9 to the GH2. While the G9 is a compact cam and operates similarly to the Canon SLR's, I find the GH2 much easier to use compared to the 550d's on our course and my mates 7D.
 
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