The Panasonic Lumix GH3 Has Arrived!

Just not in stores yet….We have been excitedly awaiting the arrival of the latest addition to Panasonic’s GH series, the GH3.   The camera line started a DIY DLSR micro 4/3rd’s revolution for thousands of indie-filmmakers with the release of the GH1 almost 4 years ago.   However the true potential of the camera wasn’t unlocked until 2010 when Vitaly Kisalev figured out how to hack the camera’s firmware.   Since then many people including myself have beta tested the camera with different settings which lower the compression that is put on the footage when being written to the SD Card.   In late 2010, the GH2 was released but wasn’t widely available until 2011.   It added some great functionality to the camera including manual audio input control, HDMI out before and during recording, and better low light performance amongst many other things.  For under $1,000, both cameras were lightweight powerhouses and we used them both on many shoots as B-roll cameras and even main cameras in remote settings.

In October the Lumix GH3 was released to much acclaim including a rave review from one of the GH series boldest supporters, Phillip Bloom who produced a beautifully shot trailer with the camera for Panasonic.   Unfortunately the GH3 has been completely sold out and out of stock everywhere.   Some were lucky enough to snag the few that went on sale, but many have been left wondering when the GH3 will become widely available.  Panasonic has “hacked” the camera themselves with a very high bit rate to start and new additions include a headphone jack, auto HDR, and built in Wi-Fi and connectivity to smart devices.

Panasonic is definitely turning up the heat on competitors and the footage I have seen so far coming out of the GH3 equals or looks better than the Canon 5D Mark III which I am a user of so I am excited to get my hands on one.  I placed an order earlier in the week when the camera appeared in stock at Adorama.  However, the next day I got an e-mail telling me it was out of stock by the time they got around to shipping my order. Obviously, Panasonic severely underestimated the demand for this new camera but the word is that January 30th may be the date when outlets like Amazon and B and H receive additional stock.  Whatever the case, I am looking forward to getting my hands on one and adding it to the TBJ Productions camera collection and then myself along with thousands of other people around the world can stop asking “when will the GH3 be available or in stock!”

The much sought-after GH3 with optional battery pack