Fans of the Panasonic GH2 have been waiting a long time for the Lumix GH3. Finally, Panasonic has delivered. The Lumix GH3 is a videographer’s dream. This camera shoots high quality video. Clearly, Panasonic knows its market. The Lumix GH3 is meant to win over GH2 fans with a clever design and excellent craftsmanship. So far, everything about the GH3 fits the bill.

Panasonic has slapped a high price tag on this camera, but the features included might just be worth that price. It also pays to remember that Panasonic enters the high-end camera market next to competitors like Canon and Nikon. All the same, if you’re in the market for a new camera this year, Panasonic’s GH3 is a great option.

GH3 Design

When you hold the GH3 in your hands, you’ll feel the girth and weight of this camera right away. Panasonic didn’t mess around when designing the GH3. This camera is heavy, made from magnesium alloy, and feels like a true DSLR. Panasonic has also made the GH3 weatherproof with a dust-resistant casing and splash-proof shell. You can’t drop this camera in a large body of water, but it will survive the average rainstorm, snowstorm, or safari dust.

On the outside of the GH3, you will find an external mic jack and headphone jack. Panasonic has also made sure that the GH3 can withstand some amount of heat. With a heat-resistant inside, the GH3 won’t become overly hot while shooting in an already hot climate. As far as quality goes, the GH3 doesn’t disappoint picture-wise either.

Photo and Video Quality

The GH3’s sensor has been upgraded from the GH2. Inside of the GH3 you will find a sensor with an ISO range of 200-1280. This camera is also capable of recording MOV, MP4, AVCHD, and AVCHD Progressive formats. A newly designed processor also means that the GH3 takes beautiful photos. Images that are crisp, well-defined, and have a minimal amount of noise can be snapped with this camera. The GH3 doesn’t come with a zoom lens, but Panasonic is offering an updated zoom that can be purchased alongside the GH3.

A New Zoom Lens

The new zoom that Panasonic has created is an f/2.8 35-100mm zoom capable of shooting very fast images. This zoom is also dust and splash proof, so you can easily pair the new zoom with the GH3 body. Combined, the two make a great team worthy of consideration. Panasonic has spent a good deal of time perfecting the GH3 and it shows. Serious photographers won’t mind the GH3’s high price tag, though those just getting into photography might take issue with Panasonic’s $2000 listing. The GH3 is definitely priced higher than competitor cameras, but it seems as though this camera is also a notch above.

As far as a release date goes, Panasonic plans to send the GH3 to market “later this year,” which likely means just before the holiday season. While that price tag is a bit hard to swallow, Panasonic’s GH3 is worth adding to a comparative lineup if you intend on buying a camera this year.