Panasonic GH3 PDF User Manual
Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3? 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 GH3 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-GH3 below.
In any case, the GH3 is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This mirrorless interchangeable lens camera was announced on September 17th, 2012, which means that, as of today, the camera is 4389 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued and was succeeded by the Panasonic GH4 as a replacement in the same line of cameras.
Panasonic's advanced owner manual for the GH3
The camera's advanced owner manual is 319 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 GH3 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-GH3 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 GH3 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-GH3
Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your GH3 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 GH3 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 GH3 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the GH3.
What is the technology behind the imaging sensor in the Panasonic GH3?
The camera features a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor.
Which image processing chip is used in the Panasonic GH3 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Panasonic equipped the GH3 with the Venus VII FHD image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Panasonic GH3?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 12800, which can be extended to ISO 125-25600.
Does the Panasonic GH3 have a selfie-friendly screen?
Yes, the LCD-screen of the GH3 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-GH3?
Panasonic does not publish a shutter rating for the GH3. Yet, shutters in comparable cameras from other manufacturers are said to be good for at least 200 000 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 200 000 shots over, say, three years, one would have to take about 200 pictures each and every day.
How do I find the shutter count on my Panasonic GH3?
Panasonic embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your GH3 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Panasonic GH3 shutter count page.
Is completely silent shooting possible with the Panasonic GH3?
The camera has an electronic shutter option, so that it is indeed feasible to capture images without any shutter noise.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Panasonic GH3?
No, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Does the Panasonic GH3 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 GH3 for flash photography?
The GH3's flash sync speed is 1/160 sec.
Does the Panasonic GH3 support the Ultra High Speed (UHS) bus interface for SD cards?
Yes, the camera can indeed use UHS-I cards (data transfer speed of up to 104 MB/s).
Which battery does the Panasonic GH3 use?
The camera gets its power from the Panasonic DMW-BLF19 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Is there a vertical grip available for the Panasonic GH3?
Yes, Panasonic offers the DMW-BGGH3 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.
Further reading
How does the GH3 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 SX540 vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm GFX 50S vs Panasonic GH3
- Fujifilm X-A7 vs Sony A9 II
- Fujifilm X-S20 vs Sony A9 II
- Nikon B700 vs Panasonic GH3
- Nikon D2X vs Panasonic GH3
- Olympus E-3 vs Panasonic GH3
- Olympus E-PL7 vs Panasonic GH3
- Panasonic G95 vs Sony A9 II
- Panasonic GH3 vs Sigma fp
- Panasonic GH6 vs Sony A9 II
- Sony A9 II vs Sony RX1R II
Core camera specifications
Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3.
Camera Model | Panasonic GH3 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
Camera Lens | Micro Four Thirds lenses | |
Launch Date | September 2012 | |
Launch Price | USD 1 299 | |
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 | 15.9 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 4 608 x 3 456 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 3.76 μm | |
Pixel Density | 7.08 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/60p Video | |
ISO Setting | 200 - 12 800 ISO | |
ISO Boost | 125 - 25 600 ISO | |
Image Processor | Venus VII FHD | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 71 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 22.7 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 12.4 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 812 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.67x | |
Viewfinder Resolution | 1746k dots | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 614k 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 | 6 shutter flaps/s | |
Shutter Life Expectancy | 200 000 actuations | |
Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | UHS-I | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
Headphone Socket | Headphone port | |
Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
Body Specs | ||
Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
Battery Type | Panasonic DMW-BLF19 power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 540 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
133 x 93 x 82 mm (5.2 x 3.7 x 3.2 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 550 g (19.4 oz) |
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