- 4/3 224.9mm2
- 16.1 megapixels
- ISO 200 - 12,800
- Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH3 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the GH3.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | Compare Prices | |
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Panasonic GH2
GH2 vs GH3 |
|
| Successor: |
Panasonic GH4
GH3 vs GH4 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | DSLR-A500 | GH3 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | SLR | Compact System Camera |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $849.99 | $1299.99 |
| Street Price: | $797.99 | |
| Date Available: | 2009-10-08 | 2012-12-30 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
31.7 oz
(900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
19.6 oz
(555 g)
includes batteries |
| Size: |
5.4 x
4.1 x
3.3 in. (137 x 104 x 84 mm) |
5.2 x
3.7 x
3.2 in. (133 x 93 x 82 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | Live MOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | Panasonic |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.3 | 16.1 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 4/3 |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 5.55 microns | 3.75 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 2.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2, 16:9 | 4:3 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | Yes | No |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 64 | 71 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 21.8 | 22.7 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 11.6 | 12.4 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 772 | 812 |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4272 x 2848
(12.2 MP,
3:2), 4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9), 3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2), 3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9), 2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2), 2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other) |
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) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW | JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 4.9 | 6.1 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | No | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60p/60i/30p/24p)
1280x720 (60p/30p) 640x480 (30p) 1920x1080 (Slow: 60p/50p/30p) 1920x1080 (Fast: 15p/12p/8p) |
|
| Movie File Format: | MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio | |
| Composite Video Out: | No | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | No |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Micro Four Thirds |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | n/a |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) | |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: | ||
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | n/a |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | No |
| Digital Zoom: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | 2x, 4x; Magnification ratio depends on recording pixels and aspect ratio |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes | Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint (Full area touch is available) |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | Optical / LCD | EVF / OLED |
| Viewfinder Type: | SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter | EVF: 1,746K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.34x / 0.67x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor |
| Focus Peaking: | No | No |
| EVF Resolution: | n/a | 1,746,000 dots |
| Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): | 0.53x | 0.67x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.80x | 1.34x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 230,400 dots | 614,000 dots (204,600 px) |
| Touchscreen: | No | Yes |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | Yes | |
| Selfie Screen: | Yes | |
| Max Playback Zoom: | 13.4x | 16.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | 12800 |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 200 | 200 |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 | 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 Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/4000 - 60 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) | 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View | 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 |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | Yes | |
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off | 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) |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200) |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/160 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | UHS-I | |
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW | RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio | |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | Yes |
| NFC: | No | |
| Bluetooth: | No | No |
| Built-In GPS: | No | No |
| Microphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack: | No | Yes |
| External Connections: | USB 2.0 High Speed | USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi |
| PictBridge Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Optional wired DMW-RSL1 |
| Connections (extended): | DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote | Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack |
| Performance Timing | ||
| Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): | 0.48 | 0.48 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.47 | 0.48 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 9 | Unlimited |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | 0.46 | |
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 4.9 | 6.1 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 5 | 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): | 0.18 seconds | 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): | 0.182 seconds | 0.086 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.21 seconds | 0.38 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.074 seconds | 0.079 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s | Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.202s |
| Startup Time: | 0.5 seconds | 0.8 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.3 seconds | 0.7 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.4 seconds | 4.1 seconds |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 540 shots | |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 1000 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FM500H | Proprietary |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | 7.2v 1860 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | Yes | |
| Internal Charging Supported: | No | |
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | Software/USB Driver CD-ROM | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.5 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial) |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. | |
