Panasonic G3 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Panasonic makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the G3 offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.
That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.
Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 below.
In any case, the G3 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera was revealed to the public on May 12th, 2011, which means that, as of today, the camera is 4928 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Panasonic G5 as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Panasonic's advanced owner manual for the G3
The camera's advanced owner manual is 208 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the G3 is included towards the bottom of this webpage.
Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!
Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.
If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Panasonic's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.
Printed, hardcopy versions of the Panasonic G3 manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.
Video tutorial for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your G3 by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.
Once again, the Panasonic G3 is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.
Panasonic G3 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the G3.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the Panasonic G3?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic G3 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Panasonic equipped the G3 with the Venus FHD image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic G3?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 6400.
Does the Panasonic G3 have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the G3 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3?
Panasonic does not publish a shutter rating for the G3. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 100 000 actuations. It should be noted, though, that this number represents a Mean Time before Failure. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust an expected shutter life of 100 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 100 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Panasonic G3?
Panasonic embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your G3 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Panasonic G3 shutter count page.
Does the Panasonic G3 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Panasonic G3 for flash photography?
The G3's flash sync speed is 1/160 sec.
Which battery does the Panasonic G3 use?
The camera gets its power from the Panasonic DMW-BLD10 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Further reading
How does the G3 stack up against available alternatives? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 1D X Mark III vs Sony A9 II
- Canon 200D vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm GFX 50R vs Panasonic G3
- Leica V-LUX 3 vs Sony A9 II
- Leica X-U Typ 113 vs Sony A9 II
- Nikon D70 vs Panasonic G3
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- Panasonic G3 vs Sony A900
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- Panasonic G3 vs Sony ZV-E10
- Panasonic G85 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A7R II vs Sony A9 II
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3.
Camera Model | Panasonic G3 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Micro Four Thirds lenses | |
Launch Date | May 2011 | |
Launch Price | USD 599 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | Four Thirds Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 17.3 x 13.0 mm | |
Sensor Area | 225 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 21.6 mm | |
Crop Factor | 2.0x | |
Sensor Resolution | 15.8 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 592 x 3 448 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 3.77 μm | |
Pixel Density | 7.04 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60i Video | |
ISO Setting | 160 - 6 400 ISO | |
Image Processor | Venus FHD | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 56 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 21.0 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.6 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 667 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.70x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 1440k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 460k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Swivel screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | Front-flip possible | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 4 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 100 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BLD10 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 270 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
115 x 84 x 47 mm (4.5 x 3.3 x 1.9 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 336 g (11.9 oz) |
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