| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Panasonic GH2
GH2 vs GH3 |
|
| Successor: |
Panasonic GH4
GH3 vs GH4 |
Sony A68
A58 vs A68 |
| General | ||
| Model Number: | GH3 | A58 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | Compact System Camera | SLR |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $1299.99 | $600.00 |
| Street Price: | $797.99 | $598.00 |
| Date Available: | 2012-12-30 | 2013-04-15 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
19.6 oz
(555 g)
includes batteries |
25.8 oz
(731 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
5.2 x
3.7 x
3.2 in. (133 x 93 x 82 mm) |
5.1 x
3.8 x
3.1 in. (129 x 96 x 78 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | Live MOS | CMOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Panasonic | Sony |
| Effective Megapixels: | 16.1 | 20.1 |
| Sensor Format: | 4/3 | APS-C |
| Sensor size: | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) | 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 3.75 microns | 4.31 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 2.0x | 1.5x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 4:3 | 3:2 |
| 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 | 74 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 22.7 | 23.3 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 12.4 | 12.5 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 812 | 753 |
| 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) |
5456 x 3632
(19.8 MP,
3:2), 5456 x 3064 (16.7 MP, 16:9), 3872 x 2576 (10.0 MP, 3:2), 3872 x 2176 (8.4 MP, 16:9), 2736 x 1824 (5.0 MP, 3:2), 2736 x 1536 (4.2 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG | JPEG, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 6.1 | 4.9 |
| 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 (60i or 24p (24/17Mbps))
1440x1080 (30p/12Mbps) 640x480 (30p/3Mbps) |
| Movie File Format: | MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio | AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo |
| Composite Video Out: | Yes | No |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | No | n/a |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Micro Four Thirds | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) |
| Lens: | n/a | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.06x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T) | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | n/a | 55.0mm |
| 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 | Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom |
| 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) | Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking; Eye Start AF |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | EVF / OLED | EVF / 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 | EVF type; 1/2-inch, 1.44M-dot OLED Tru-Finder, 100% coverage, 0.88x magnification (0.57x 35mm eq.), 26.5mm from the eyepiece lens / 23mm from the eyepiece frame eye point, -4.0 to +4.0 diopter |
| Focus Peaking: | No | Yes |
| EVF Resolution: | 1,746,000 dots | 1,440,000 dots |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.67x | 0.57x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 1.34x | 0.88x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 614,000 dots (204,600 px) | 460,800 dots (153,600 px) |
| Touchscreen: | Yes | No |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | Yes | No |
| Selfie Screen: | Yes | No |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 16.0x | 15.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 16000 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 200 | 100 |
| 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 (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600) |
| 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, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 60 sec | 1/4000 - 30 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot | 1200-zone Evaluative, Center-weighted, Spot |
| 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 Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight; Picture Effects: Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature; Sweep Panorama, Anti Motion Blur, Multi Frame Noise Reduction |
| Self Timer: | 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds | 2 or 10 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | Yes | |
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| 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, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Auto flash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. | 10.0 m / 32.8 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200) | Lens dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/160 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket | Multi Interface Hot shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | SD / SDHC / SDXC | MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | No UHS support |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW, RAW + JPEG | RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio | AVCHD / MP4; Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | No memory included |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | Yes | No |
| NFC: | No | No |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | No | No |
| Microphone Jack: | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack: | Yes | No |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | No |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional wired DMW-RSL1 | Optional wired RM-VPR1 |
| Connections (extended): | Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack | Type-D Micro HDMI, DC Input, 3.5mm Stereo Micophone Jack, Multi/Micro USB (remote) |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.48 | 0.51 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.48 | 0.55 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | Unlimited | 2 |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.46 | 0.57 |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 6.1 | 4.9 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | Unlimited | 8 |
| RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.1 | 4.9 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): | 24 | 6 |
| RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): | 5.2 | 4.9 |
| Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): | 20 | 5 |
| Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): | 0.21 seconds | 0.13 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 | 0.082 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.38 seconds | 0.33 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.079 seconds | 0.054 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.202s | Full Autofocus Shutter Lag, Wide-area Mode = 0.139s |
| Startup Time: | 0.8 seconds | 1.9 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.7 seconds | 1.1 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 4.1 seconds | 2.1 seconds |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 540 shots | 700 shots |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 690 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Usable Battery Types: | 7.2v 1860 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable | NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable | 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 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) | PlayMemories Home, Image Data Converter 4 |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7 SP1/8; Mac OS X v10.5 or later. (Software is Windows only.) | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | New 20.1MP Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, SteadyShot INSIDE image stabilization, 2.7" 406K-dot tilting LCD, OLED Tru-Finder EVF, 5fps full-resolution burst mode (up to 8fps in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode), new Lock-on autofocus, Full HD 1080i60 movies, Multi Interface Hot Shoe, new area-specific noise reduction. U.S. availability and pricing TBD. | |
