Is the Panasonic LUMIX G3K the “Perfect” Camera?

The short answer is “in a sense.” Of course, digital cameras are not designed and built to be “perfect,” but to match specific uses and, therefore, markets: point-and-shoots for a beginner consumer market, introductory and mid-range DSLRs for serious amateurs and professional-grade DSLRs for pros and semi-pros.

What may put the Panasonic LUMIX G3K camera in a class of its own is that it has easy-to-use compact camera-like features for the typical amateur as well as pro-like capabilities for a broad range of more experienced photographers.

Shooting with the LUMIX G3K, beginners can quickly be more creative without a huge learning curve.

· Simply touch the screen of the large, 3-inch high-resolution LCD to select menus, shooting settings, focusing, playback and effects. Auto-Focus (AF) tracking is one of these selections, which locks on moving subjects, so stills and video are sharp and color-rich.

· The new Pinpoint Auto-Focus allows for an extremely precise, near–pixel-level focus-point setting at the touch of a finger. The LightSpeed AF system is very fast. This speed is attainable because the detection time to focus has been reduced. Doubling of the Live MOS Sensor drives speed from 60fps to 120fps.

· Touch a subject on the LCD screen and it is first enlarged in a small window to a 4X magnification. You’re still able to see the rest of the image to adjust framing. When the magnification is greater than 4x, the small window fills the display, so you can fine-tune the focus further. This feature is accessible through the MF Assist (Manual Focus) and AF + MF focus modes.

For the serious enthusiasts, and even some professionals, the Panasonic LUMIX G3K is a high quality image-maker in a compact design with the versatility of an interchangeable lens system. Designed with the Micro Four Thirds system mount, the G3K can be paired with 11 different zoom options in both fixed focal length and variable aperture G Vario, plus a 3D lens. The beauty of the Panasonic LUMIX lens selection is that each lens delivers excellent performance in a smaller and lighter package.

Other pro-like features of the LUMIX G3K will catch the eye of the serious hobbyist.

· An external mode dial for quick access to program, shutter, aperture priority and other standard modes.

· Additional dial settings include two custom modes, scene modes and a creative control mode.

· A dedicated video button that can be used to switch to video capture quickly without changing modes.

· A built-in flash and hot shoe to connect optional LUMIX flashes.

· An eye-level electronic viewfinder that projects a high-resolution 1.44m-dot image with 100% field of view (800x600, 0.7x magnification).

Whether you’re ready to graduate from a limited point-and-shoot or want high quality features to produce professional-grade images, the LUMIX G3 is nearly “perfect” for many digital photographers.

· Shoot 1080/60i HD video in the AVCHD format, with a built-in stereo microphone and various audio controls to enhance the sound with less background noise.

· The G3K has a two-level continuous shooting mode. Use the mechanical shutter to shoot 4fps in full-resolution 16 megapixels or the electronic shutter for 20fps at 4MP resolution.

· Sony has also designed Intelligent Auto (iA) and Intelligent Auto Plus (iA+) functions into the LUMIX G3K that provide advanced controls experienced photographers will appreciate and beginners can easily learn to use. Refine the defocused area, exposure and white balance to create a more stunning and accurate final version of any image with iA+.

The Panasonic LUMIX G3K camera is sold in a kit with the LUMIX 14–42 zoom lens for $589.99 from B&H Photo Video at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Panasonic+LUMIX+DMC+G3K&N=0&InitialSearch=yes.

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