Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3X 12.1MP Micro Four Thirds Compact Camera w/ 14-42mm Lens $279 + Free Shipping (Ebay Daily Deal)

This will be my first semi-pro/non point and shoot camera. Mostly, this lens is very tempting because of its compact size. What would be a good body to upgrade to once I get bored or grow out of this body?

Quote from Roy2001 : Is there a X lens review?

Here's a decent one (non c-net).

http://www.photozone.de/olympus--...14423556hd

Quote from grazhoppa : The GF5 I bought from Newegg serves both purposes.

I used to think that of my mirrorless cameras. But since I got my RX100, I find my mirrorless cameras pretty much unneeded. The RX100 is pocketable and a match in quality.

Quote from jeremyg5 : The multiple reviews calling it blurry is scaring me off.

It's only blurry if you don't shoot well. If you're firing off shots with low shutter speeds, then you got a problem.

Quote from DKDogz54 : Thinking about buying this and selling my gf2 kit, with 14-42mm and 14mm pancake lens. Will this kit be a good replacement as far as portability and quality?

It's the exact same thing as the GF2 except you lose a mic (so it's mono), slightly more curvy and smaller body, and minor negligible differences. You might as well just save up for a better body with an up to date sensor or better lenses.

Quote from cire1184 : This will be my first semi-pro/non point and shoot camera. Mostly, this lens is very tempting because of its compact size. What would be a good body to upgrade to once I get bored or grow out of this body?

Currently, Panasonic is leaning towards DSLR shaped bodies, whereas Olympus is sticking with compact retro styled cameras. Either one is good depending on where your priorities lie (Panasonic usually better for video, Olympus for stills).

This is likely to change sometime within the next few years with the release of the Panasonic GX2 and Olympus' yet to be announced cameras.

guys, the rx100 is a better camera almost hands down when compared to a kit lens gf3. Better sensor, better lens, pocketable, but comeon it's $600 vs $279 I mean when you pay that much more you can start talking about aps-c dslrs, sony nex series, what lenes you can get etc so really it's not a fair comparison.

If your buying this camera you should want it because you want something with better image quality than almost all point and shoot cameras in the market without having the lug around the size of a dslr. Your paying for portability with some image quality in mind. Either this to you is the perfect marry, or the worst bastardization you can ever have.

For anyone who's thinking about what is comparable, closest thing is the EPL series from Olympus which with this deal in mind, is still more expensive than this GF3, however it does offer a few nicer features.

Quote from travfar : I used to think that of my mirrorless cameras. But since I got my RX100, I find my mirrorless cameras pretty much unneeded. The RX100 is pocketable and a match in quality.

what do you do when you want a wide angle or zoom shot? can you remove the lens and put another one on?

I know the pictures are good, but how's the video on this camera? I compared the video samples to the Nikon V1 and looks like V1 has better quality. Any thoughts?

Quote from pointbob : what do you do when you want a wide angle or zoom shot? can you remove the lens and put another one on?

fixed lens, harking back to the days of rangefinder era cameras.

I'd like to add my 2 cents here. I bought a gf5 with the power zoom on a recent deal and got it at 400. I also bought a panasonic lx7 for 300 and tried them both out. The gf5 is going back this week. The lx7 is the keeper.

Here's what I learned in the last few weeks about these cameras. I loved shooting with gf5, but the pictures just didn't wow me unless they were in broad daylight. Anytime I was indoors without flash, I felt underwhelmed. The lx7 was great indoors and great outdoors. I produced my favorite pictures with the gf5, but this was under optimal conditions only.
The video on the gf5 was worse than my iphone 4s. Yeah I know that doesnt go along with the reviews, and it surprised me too, but they just looked grainy. I only ever shot video in mp4 1080 30p, and daylight or indoors, it always looked worse than the lx7.

I loved the bouncy flash, it can make it so seems like your indoor flash shots look like they are taken outdoors in great sunlight, IF you get a lucky shot and smaller room to bounce your flash.

I debated keeping the gf5 (because it was so fun to shoot with), and trying out a different lens, like the sigma deals this last month. But I dont want to spend 600+ dollars to try and up the photo quality of this camera.

Quote from cire1184 : What would be a good body to upgrade to once I get bored or grow out of this body?

Giraffe?

Black is sold out. 3 Red ones left.

Sold outtt

PNDMCGF3KK = 14-42mm Standard Lens
DMCGF3XK = PZ 14-42mm


I wonder what they actually shipped.

Anyone scheduled for delivery tomorrow?

Quote from navoid : The lx7 was great indoors and great outdoors. I produced my favorite pictures with the gf5, but this was under optimal conditions only. The video on the gf5 was worse than my iphone 4s. .

I have the GF5 with the two Sigma lenses that made it to front page and with the Sigmas, it is an amazing camera. My pics even in low light are far far far from grainy. Not sure how you got it to shoot in 1080 30p because I think it only shoots 1080p 60i. In no way have my videos been anywhere close to an iPhone. They have been sublime. This is where Panasonic shines in my oppinion.

I can see what you are saying if you didn't get the crispness and such and I respect that you are giving your two cents and reporting your experience. I am only trying to do the same from another viewpoint in order to help people who may be looking into this camera.

One thing I do wish is that I could have the X lens because then the camera would fit in my pocket, but I found a great $50 lenscap lens that I am going to try in that regard.

Micro 4/3 is not for everyone, but it can be a ton of fun. They are pretty niche. I for one look at my GF5 as a video camera that can take great stills. I one day hope to have a high-end DSLR that I will consider my still camera that can also take video.

Hope this helps.