Panasonic GF3 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3? 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 GF3 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-GF3 below.
In any case, the GF3 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera was announced on June 13th, 2011, which means that, as of today, the camera is 4851 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Panasonic GF5 as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Panasonic's advanced owner manual for the GF3
The camera's advanced owner manual is 202 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 GF3 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-GF3 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 GF3 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-GF3
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your GF3 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 GF3 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 GF3 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the GF3.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Panasonic GF3?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic GF3 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Panasonic equipped the GF3 with the Venus FHD image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic GF3?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 160 to ISO 6400.
What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3?
Panasonic does not publish a shutter rating for the GF3. 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 GF3?
Panasonic embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your GF3 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Panasonic GF3 shutter count page.
Does the Panasonic GF3 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 GF3 for flash photography?
The GF3's flash sync speed is 1/160 sec.
Which battery does the Panasonic GF3 use?
The camera gets its power from the Panasonic DMW-BLE9 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Further reading
How does the GF3 stack up against available alternatives? In case you are interested in seeing how this camera compares to another one, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon 1Ds Mark III vs Sony A9 II
- Canon 90D vs Panasonic GF3
- Canon R vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm GFX 100S vs Sony A9 II
- Nikon D90 vs Sony A9 II
- Panasonic G90 vs Panasonic GF3
- Panasonic GF3 vs Ricoh WG-6
- Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A6600
- Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-5
- Panasonic GF3 vs Sony RX100 II
- Sony A3000 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A9 II vs Sony WX800
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3.
Camera Model | Panasonic GF3 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Micro Four Thirds lenses | |
Launch Date | June 2011 | |
Launch Price | USD 549 | |
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 | 12 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 000 x 3 000 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 4.33 μm | |
Pixel Density | 5.34 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) | 50 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 20.6 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 10.1 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 459 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | No viewfinder | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 460k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/4000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 3.2 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 | no Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BLE9 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 300 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
108 x 67 x 32 mm (4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 264 g (9.3 oz) |
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