GH2 Why do we need a GH3? Isn't the GH2 enough? What should Panasonic do for GH3?

[Jaime Valles]

Since I last posted on this thread, I've changed my mind a little with what I hope is included in the GH3. Here's my new list in order of preference:

• Clean 24p 4:2:2 over HDMI
• 1080p at 60fps for slo-mo
• Built-in image stabilizer (like the OM-D EM-5)

Anything else would be gravy, but I'm already very happy with the GH2 image quality. The addition of these three things would make me pay $1200 easily for an upgrade to a GH3.

 

[Gary Huff]

A sensor that can maintain some semblance of the improved quality seen in the Olympus bodies even during video
As Jaime stated, clean 24p with correct 4:2:2 color space out of the HDMI
Ditto to 1080p60 (and fix the HDMI out bug with 720p60)
No ISO bug
A proper zebra (only has to be one, but with the pattern, not the blinking area)
A re-imagined menu system that's not so "consumer"y
More in-depth scene setting options (something like the curves editor that the Canons come with would be great)
A special access maintenance menu that enables AVC-Intra 4:2:2 10-bit recording to SD cards (experiences may vary)

 

[Jim Simon]

Built-in image stabilizer (like the OM-D EM-5)

I wouldn't like that myself. I think stabilization is best done optically, and that means in the lens. Panny does it right. Olympus is the one who needs to change.

 

[Observe]

""but isn't the GH2, especially with the hack, already enough, do we really need a GH3 at all?"

The following is what is needed.

1) Match or beat Mark iii low light performance. This is most important feature for me.
2) Peaking in monitor lcd, and external hdmi
3) full 1080p external live monitor capability when recording video. This is also most important to me for live focus pulling.
4) Make GH3 with built in accessibility to all hack type settings in the first place as an advanced option which can be reset if wanted
5) Manual audio recording control leveling
6) Wireless or long cabled device that can control all zoom, focus, settings while recording live
7) Better control for manual focus pulling built into camera and or lenses
8) Raw mode of some kind, or a much better expanded dynamic range flat mode
9) weather and temp sealed/safe
10) Zebras

Unfortunately I don't think I am going to get most any of the above, the only thing that will happen will probably
be better autofocus and maybe weather sealing.

 

[Gary Huff]

1) Match or beat Mark iii low light performance. This is most important feature for me.

Why the gray text on the gray background? I'd rather Panasonic deliver more DR than higher ISOs than 1600 (legitimately).

2) Peaking in monitor lcd, and external hdmi

Peaking can be a feature of the monitor. On top of that, is there even any other camera in the world that shows peaking through the HDMI out?

3) full 1080p external live monitor capability when recording video. This is also most important to me for live focus pulling.

GH2 already does this.

4) Make GH3 with built in accessibility to all hack type settings in the first place as an advanced option which can be reset if wanted

No way Panasonic will ever do this.

8) Raw mode of some kind, or a much better expanded dynamic range flat mode

Actually work with RAW footage on a continual basis and then come back to this one.

 

[Jim Simon]

6) wireless or long cabled device that can control all zoom, focus, [iris] settings while recording live

Yeeeeeeesssssss!!!

 

[Jaime Valles]

I wouldn't like that myself. I think stabilization is best done optically, and that means in the lens. Panny does it right. Olympus is the one who needs to change.

But none of the lenses I (and many others) use on the GH2 have stabilization. It would be great if the GH3 body had that as an option, like the EM-5.

 

[Gary Huff]

But none of the lenses I (and many others) use on the GH2 have stabilization. It would be great if the GH3 body had that as an option, like the EM-5.

None of mine do either. I use the old-fashioned method of stabilization: a tripod.

 

[Jaime Valles]

None of mine do either. I use the old-fashioned method of stabilization: a tripod.

Oh, I love my tripod! But there are times when handheld is the only way to get the shot, and for those times I'd love to have the option of image stabilization built-in to the GH3 body. Options are good!

 

[Gary Huff]

I've found that using the viewfinder keeps GH2 shots as stable as any camera system I've ever used that had image stabilization.

 

[flinty]

A GH3 with 50/60P would be of little use to me,those frame rates are not Blu Ray compatible,the 25P upadate as its in a wrapper has no problems.

 

[berylium]

A GH3 with 50/60P would be of little use to me,those frame rates are not Blu Ray compatible,the 25P upadate as its in a wrapper has no problems.

Don't think anyone plays at 50/60. 50/60p recording, when played back at 25/24 fps is slow motion..

 

[Gary Huff]

Don't think anyone plays at 50/60. 50/60p recording, when played back at 25/24 fps is slow motion..

Yep, it's mostly for slow motion. I looked into shooting a short at a high frame rate (60p) and abandoned the idea because there's absolutely no way to show it except for Blu-ray at 720p60. Pretty much all the online video websites will downconvert it to 30p.

 

[Lee Saxon]

I was solely referring to card speeds. What do you think is the most purchased class of card? Dollars to donuts says it's Class 4.

You're saying most people have cards too slow for a more data-intensive format?

That's a great point, I didn't think about that.

 

[John Caballero]

You're saying most people have cards too slow for a more data-intensive format?

That's a great point, I didn't think about that.​

Hellooooo... that is the most important and obvious point of all. And even the hacked GH2 with high speed cards can cause trouble. That is why Panasonic keeps the bitrate at the safe level.

 

[mpgxsvcd]

Yep, it's mostly for slow motion. I looked into shooting a short at a high frame rate (60p) and abandoned the idea because there's absolutely no way to show it except for Blu-ray at 720p60. Pretty much all the online video websites will downconvert it to 30p.

Youtube will display 480p @ 60 FPS properly. However, I have a feeling that 480p is not really what you are looking for?

For now 60p and 120p are for slow motion. The cool thing about 120p is that you can extract 24p, 30p, 60p, and 120p from it. However, you can't shoot at shutter speeds faster than 1/120th a second in florescent lighting so even 120p is not that helpful for indoor slow motion.

 

[Jim Simon]

But none of the lenses I (and many others) use on the GH2 have stabilization.

I get that. What I'm suggesting is that they all need to have it. Lens makers need to redo their lenses (and preferably include a non-stepped, smooth iris ring on all of them as well).

 

[Jim Simon]

Options are good!

Up to a point. When it's not the best method of doing something (such as electronic stabilization) and adding that option will add to our cost of the camera, then it's not good.

In-camera stabilization on the GH3 would be "not good".

 

[Will Turner]

Up to a point. When it's not the best method of doing something (such as electronic stabilization) and adding that option will add to our cost of the camera, then it's not good.

In-camera stabilization on the GH3 would be "not good".

Unless it was sensor shift (or indeed something new and amazing) then it would be awesome.

 

[Kholi]

You're saying most people have cards too slow for a more data-intensive format?

That's a great point, I didn't think about that.

Stay tuned for Photokina.

I think the GH3 will be a much welcomed upgrade for a LOT of people, more than some expected. Less than some dreamed up (wild dreams kinda dreamed up) want out of a cheap camera lol.

Looking forward to it.