| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | Compare Prices |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Panasonic GH2
GH2 vs GH3 |
Olympus E-PL7
E-PL7 vs E-PL8 |
| Successor: |
Panasonic GH4
GH3 vs GH4 |
Olympus E-PL9
E-PL8 vs E-PL9 |
| General | ||
| Model Number: | GH3 | E-PL8 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Compact System Camera | Compact System Camera |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | Yes |
| Retail Price: | $1299.99 | $649.99 |
| Street Price: | $797.99 | $599.00 |
| Date Available: | 2012-12-30 | 2016-10-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
19.6 oz
(555 g)
includes batteries |
17.2 oz
(487 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
5.2 x
3.7 x
3.2 in. (133 x 93 x 82 mm) |
4.6 x
2.7 x
1.5 in. (117 x 68 x 38 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | Live MOS | Live MOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Panasonic | Sony |
| Effective Megapixels: | 16.1 | 16.1 |
| Sensor Format: | 4/3 | 4/3 |
| Sensor size: | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 3.75 microns | 3.75 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 2.0x | 2.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 | 4:3 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | No | Yes |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 71 | |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 22.7 | |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 12.4 | |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 812 | |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4608 x 3456
(15.9 MP,
4:3), 4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2), 4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9), 3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1), 3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3), 3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2), 3264 x 1840 (6.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1), 2336 x 1720 (4.0 MP, Other), 2336 x 1560 (3.6 MP, 3:2), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9), 1744 x 1744 (3.0 MP, 1:1), 1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3), 1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2), 1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9), 1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1) |
4608 x 3456
(15.9 MP,
4:3), 3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3), 2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3), 1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3), 1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3), 640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG | JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 6.1 | 8.5 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60p/60i/30p/24p)
1280x720 (60p/30p) 640x480 (30p) 1920x1080 (Slow: 60p/50p/30p) 1920x1080 (Fast: 15p/12p/8p) |
1920x1080 (30p (24 or 16Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (12 or 8Mbps)) 640x480 (30p) |
| Movie File Format: | MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio | MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio |
| Composite Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | No | Yes |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | No | |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
| Lens: | n/a | Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 28 - 84mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 14 - 42mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22 | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | n/a | 37.0mm |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom: | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | 2x, 4x; Magnification ratio depends on recording pixels and aspect ratio | 2x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint (Full area touch is available) | High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 81-area multiple AF; All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target (normal/small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / OLED | No / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | EVF: 1,746K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.34x / 0.67x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor | Optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | 1,746,000 dots | n/a |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.67x | |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.34x | |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | No |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 614,000 dots (204,600 px) | 1,036,800 dots |
| Touchscreen: | Yes | Yes |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | Yes | No |
| Selfie Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 16.0x | 14.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 25600 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 200 | 200 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto, Intelligent ISO, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; in 1/3 or 1 EV steps; expandable to ISO 125 and ISO 25600; Up to ISO 3200 in Auto | AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) | Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (4), Kelvin |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 60 sec | 1/4000 - 60 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot | Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Clear in Backlight, Relaxing Tone, Sweet Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome | Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D*, Underwater wide/macro, Custom Mysets 1-4 *3D lens(H-FT012 by Panasonic) only, still only); Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water Color, Vintage, Partial Color); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key); Multiple Exposure (2 frames); HDR1/2 (4 frames) |
| Self Timer: | 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds | 2, 12, custom seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | Yes | Yes |
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | No |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction (when iA, iA+), Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Off; Built-in flash supports wireless mode (4 channels, 3 groups) | Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. | 7.0 m / 23.0 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200) | Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200) |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/250 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket | Hot Shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | UHS-I |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW, RAW + JPEG | 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO |
| Movie File Format: | MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio | MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | No memory included |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | Yes | Yes |
| NFC: | No | No |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | No | No |
| Microphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| Headphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi | USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional wired DMW-RSL1 | Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1 |
| Connections (extended): | Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB/Remote connector, Accessory Port 2, Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.48 | |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.48 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | Unlimited | |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.46 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 6.1 | 8.5 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | Unlimited | |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.1 | |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 24 | |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.2 | |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 20 | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.21 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, tele): | ||
| Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR): | ||
| Shutter Lag (manual focus): | 0.086 seconds | |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.38 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.079 seconds | |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.202s | |
| Startup Time: | 0.8 seconds | |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.7 seconds | |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 4.1 seconds | |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 540 shots | 350 shots |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | ||
| Battery Life, Video: | 90 minutes | |
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary | Proprietary BLS-50 |
| Usable Battery Types: | 7.2v 1860 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | Yes | Yes |
| Internal Charging Supported: | No | No |
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.5 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial) | OLYMPUS Viewer 3 CD-ROM |
| OS Compatibility: | ||
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Available in black, white or brown. | |
