GH3 GH3 vs GH2 comparison and review

N

noam

Well-known member
I hope this helps to clarify some questions people may be having about the GH3. I will be updating the blog soon as I have a chance to shoot more test footage.

www.noamkroll.com
 
Nice informative write up and videos on the GH3 and GH2.

I'm still deciding whether to go GH3 and wait a bit for the Blackmagic, or jump into Blackmagic waters earlier.

It is nice to see that I will be able to use my GH2 alongside the GH3 though. The biggest visual difference seemed to be the colors looked a bit different on the GH3 vs the GH2. A little cleaner and more clinical, but clearer too on the GH3. It seems like an easy enough color correction tweak to match them up in post though.
 
Thanks for the write up and confirming what others have noted about the Panasonic lens exhibiting more moire than other lenses. Should calm some of the concern about that issue. Cool review...all things considered, for my budget... the GH2 appears to be a steal at this point in time.
 
Keep in mind people, that nobody has done any color side by sides to see if the Gh3 has more chroma info. Actually, I'd love if Barry big daddy G. could get his hands on this camera for a week or so.
 
Good read, but I disagree on people picking up 2 GH2 instead of one GH3. With that thinking I can pick up 3 GH1's then...... Truth is while you covered many things you forgot to mention the time lapse feature. Also how about the better photography camera it is?

I mean if you say iso 1600 is as clean as iso 800 and even then the GH3 has beautiful fine grain then how in the world can you recommend 2 GH2's over 1 GH3?

Thanks for the write up and everything you said placed the GH3 well over the top and worth the price of admission. I will be listing my GH2 for sale as soon as my GH3 comes in, if anyone is interested let me know. It is less than 3months old bought brand new from Amazon.
 
Great review. Sober analyses. Actually video frame rates, the codec, form factor and the not too bright LCD have been my main issue with the GH2. To have a camera that can go out in weather - and I will be a happy shooter. Hope mine arrives soon.
 
Thanks for the review.

I'll be keeping my GH2. I'd rather jump for the BMCC or it's successor. The changes to the GH3 are mostly in the 'packaging', not the image itself.
I wanted tons more DR - so I'll still be keeping my eye on GH3 news to find out the exact improvement.
 
thanks noam! great review. just picked up a GH3 yet had always wondered about the GH2, id skipped it for a 5D2 after my GH1.
 
Hi Noam,

Really nice review. Very thorough and well written. Just one point about the ISO.

You can adjust the ISO in 1/3 EV increments in video. Confusingly you have to be in a photography mode on the dial (such as M) and select it from the Photo section of the menu options. It will then apply when you switch over to video. Little bit weird that one but it works. Only found that out when I tried to disable it after shooting and couldn't find the menu option, thought I'd gone mad.
 
I'm very glad to see this has been helpful for some already. Thanks for the response.

SeanD said:
Hi Noam,

Really nice review. Very thorough and well written. Just one point about the ISO.

You can adjust the ISO in 1/3 EV increments in video. Confusingly you have to be in a photography mode on the dial (such as M) and select it from the Photo section of the menu options. It will then apply when you switch over to video. Little bit weird that one but it works. Only found that out when I tried to disable it after shooting and couldn't find the menu option, thought I'd gone mad.
Click to expand...

Good find Sean, this is great to know. Will update the blog accordingly.
 
Great review! Nice elaboration on all the main points. 1080 60p & clean high ISOs are what I like best about the GH3 so far. I may have to pick up one myself to do some comparisons. Wonder how much I can get back if I get the Japanese version and sell it back before Christmas.

Id like to see some sort of blind comparison between the flattest mode on the GH3 vs GH2, ungraded and then graded. Do you know how much footage you get out of a 32gb card?
 
Thanks! On a 32 gig card it gives about 58 minutes on 24p, which isn't bad at all.

I did some grading tests in DaVinci Resolve and there is definitely more information in the GH3 footage. I'll try to update later this week with some more videos.
 
that moire thing scares me. that's the biggest factor thats kept me out of the canon camp... and if the GH3 is prone (regardless of lens) i may just go 5d3 and call the whole thing done.
 
For those interested - I posted some rough footage from my commercial shoot this past weekend on my blog with a grade on it. It's all 60p except for the first shot.
 
Noam,

Which profile & sharpness settings did you use?

I've been busy getting ready for a trip, & haven't had a chance to put the camera thru it's paces, but have been using Natural with all settings @ -5, except NR which I left at the default of 0.

Thanks,
Bern
 
Hi Bern,

I used Standard with everything at -5 except for for saturation which was at 0. At this point I haven't tested any of the other profiles extensively, but this seems to work well. Natural looks to my eye like it might pop the highlights out a bit more, but I can't be certain of that yet. If you are denoising in post, you might want to leave NR at -5 as well so the camera doesn't try to do any of the heavy lifting!
 
noam said:
Hi Bern,

I used Standard with everything at -5 except for for saturation which was at 0. At this point I haven't tested any of the other profiles extensively, but this seems to work well. Natural looks to my eye like it might pop the highlights out a bit more, but I can't be certain of that yet. If you are denoising in post, you might want to leave NR at -5 as well so the camera doesn't try to do any of the heavy lifting!
Click to expand...

I'm typically leave NR at it's lowest setting if only to smooth banding, but need to test.

Thanks for your thoughts!
 
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