World’s smallest and lightest Interchangeable Lens System Camera*

*For an interchangeable lens system camera with a built-in flash as of June 13, 2011.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF3 Micro Four Thirds System camera weighs just 222 grams, making it the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens system camera.

Alistair Robins, Group Marketing Manager, LUMIX – Panasonic Australia, said: “The small size, ease of use, capabilities, and appealing design of this camera give it significant appeal for compact users who want to step up to SLR image quality, but were previously put off by the weight, size and complexity of traditional SLR cameras.

“With the LUMIX DMC-GF3, you really can just pick it up, point and shoot, just like your compact camera.  At the same time, the camera delivers amazing functionality in a small body, with all the hallmarks of Panasonic’s LUMIX G Micro System range - including excellent image quality in still and video shooting; fast and accurate focusing; and tools designed for enhanced ease of use and creative control.”  

Australian consumers will be able to experience the DMC-GF3 for the first time at the upcoming PMA Imaging and Entertainment Expo in Sydney on the 25th and 26th of June. The recently announced DMC-G3 and the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm/F1.4 ASPH interchangeable lens will also be on display.

The DMC-GF3 has a rounded design that is both compact and comfortable to hold, with an ergonomic grip and small footprint that still houses a built-in flash.  The durable metal mount is surrounded by a silver-coloured ring, and the camera is available in a range of attractive colours - black, white and red.

The new camera will be available in Australia in August, with pricing to be announced closer to the launch date.

The Panasonic LUMIX G Micro System is known for its high-quality, true to life images achieved through excellent resolution, image rendering and colour reproduction. The new DMC-GF3 is no exception, boasting high image quality with the enhanced Venus Engine FHD image processor and the 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor. Low-light performance is outstanding, with clear, sharp images achieved when shooting at high ISO sensitivity settings.

Like the LUMIX DMC-G3, the LUMIX DMC-GF3 features the Precision Contrast AF System with the world's fastest level of approximately. 0.18 second[iii], and Pinpoint AF combined with touch-control shooting ensures that focusing is faster and sharper than ever. A redesigned shutter in the new mount unit offers improved consecutive shooting up to 3.8 frames per second in full resolution.

Photographers can enjoy high-quality, easy video shooting with 1920 x 1080 Full HD AVCHD[iv] video recording.  Panasonic’s advanced AF system with full-time AF and tracking AF is also available so that every photographer can enjoy high quality video recording with ease.

Users have even more scope to create unique images, with new modes including ‘Creative Control’ to adjust colours more intuitively, and ‘Photo Style’ for finer control of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction.

In addition to the renowned Intelligent Auto (iA), iA Plus mode has been added, allowing photographers who want to increase their creative skills to also make manual adjustments to the defocusing area, exposure compensation and white balance.  This mode is available in both photo and video recording.

Slim, compact design with comfortable operation

With a newly-designed mount, the LUMIX DMC-GF3 is dramatically downsized by approximately 16.7 per cent (approximately 35cc) in size and 16.2 per cent (approximately 43 grams) in weight compared with its predecessor, the LUMIX DMC-GF2 – setting a new record for the world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens system camera[v].

The camera is easy to operate with a newly-adopted control dial and control buttons at your fingertips.  With intuitive touch-control shooting, simply touch the LCD to focus and lock on the subject, and follow it with AF Tracking. 

The LUMIX DMC-GF3 is equipped with a highly efficient Dust Reduction System.  If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera while the photographer is changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in photos. The Dust Reduction System helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor.  Vibrating vertically about 50,000 times per second, the filter effectively repels dust and other particles. 

High image quality

The LUMIX G Micro System achieves impressive image quality through excellent resolution, image rendering and colour reproduction. High resolution is achieved through the high-grade lenses and precision AF; the optimal balance of resolution and noise reduction achieves lifelike image rendering; and high precision auto exposure and white balance with live light metering achieves faithful colour reproduction.

The Venus Engine Full HD image processor on the LUMIX DMC-GF3 offers new noise reduction technology for even better clarity and colour reproduction in low-light situations. This advanced noise reduction system improves S/N by around 3dB at ISO 3200 and ISO 6400. The image processor is also designed to extend battery life.

Advanced AF System with speed and accuracy

The DMC-GF3 offers a precise and fast Contrast AF system. Compared with Phase Difference AF, Contrast AF boasts higher accuracy especially when shooting with a bright lens at small F value (for example, at F 1.4 the accuracy of Contrast AF is approximately 90 percent while Phase difference AF is approximately 60 percent). Lenses like the new LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 ASPH. allow the photographer to maximise the advantages of Contrast AF.

The LUMIX DMC-GF3 also incorporates Full-area focusing which makes it possible to set focus on any point in the field of view.

The camera offers the intuitive touch-control shooting that is becoming a hallmark of the G Series.  The new Pinpoint AF allows even more precise focus setting by further enlarging the focusing area – for example, setting the focus right on the pupil in an eye. The shutter can also be released at a touch.

Other touch-control features to increase the precision and enjoyment of shooting include:

·  1-area AF in Face Detection which lets you focus on the subject in any part of the LCD while still detecting faces in the image – simply touch the screen to direct the focus point.  It allows the photographer to capture creative shots, for example, focusing on a flower in front of a person, or directing the focus to a person’s eyes.

·  Multi-area AF – the camera divides the 23 AF areas into nine groups.  Simply touch one of the groups and the camera automatically selects the optimal area from within that group.

·  Moveable MF Assist – when the photographer is in manual focus mode, by touching a section of the image on the LCD the DMC-GF3 shows a zoomed view of that area – 1x, 4x, 5x or 10x – instantly.  This makes it easier to check that focus is sharp.

·  A variety of touch-control operations make playback quick, easy and more fun. For example, Touch-Scroll Playback allows the photographer to scroll through images by sliding a finger across the LCD.  Touch-Zoom Playback allows the photographer to touch a part of the image to enlarge it to as much as 16x.

New Colour Control Functions - "Photo Style" and "Creative Control”

Panasonic’s popular My Colour mode is now enhanced with ‘Creative Control’.  When selected, Creative Control adjusts exposure compensation in the frequently-used color modes of Expressive, Retro, High Key, Sepia and High Dynamic, as well as the new ‘Miniature Effect’ mode[vi].

In Miniature Effect mode, the peripherals are defocused, while saturation and contrast is emphasised to create the look of a diorama. The range and location of the area to defocus is adjustable according to the composition of the picture either in horizontal (landscape) or vertical (portrait) aspect. Video recorded in this mode is played back in 10x fast-forwarding for full effect.

‘Photo Style’ is a new effect control function that offers finer adjustment of contrast, sharpness, saturation and noise reduction for the Standard, Vivid, Natural, Monochrome, Scenery, and Portrait presets. Custom Mode allows manual control of colour effects in these settings.

1920 x 1080 Full-HD AVCHD high quality video recording

The AVCHD format features almost twice the recording time in HD quality than the conventional Motion JPEG. The DMC-GF3 records in 1920 x 1080 / 50i AVCHD (sensor output is 25p).

The iA and new iA Plus modes are available in video recording. iA features available include Optical Image Stabiliser (O.I.S.), AF Tracking, Face Detection, Intelligent D-range Control and Intelligent Scene Selector. The Touch AF in video recording also lets users enjoy professional-style rack focusing.

When editing, still frames can be created from a video, and unwanted sections of a video can be removed with the video divide function.

Advanced iA (Intelligent Auto) mode for more creative freedom - iA Plus

In iA mode, the camera does all the hard work, leaving the photographer free to capture key moments.  With the new iA Plus mode, the defocusing area, exposure compensation and white balance can be adjusted in scenes where a slight manual adjustment may achieve a better result[viii].

The popular defocus control function in iA mode is now easily operated with a slider on the touch screen, allowing users to adjust the defocus area for a sharp subject and softly focused background.

Additional convenient iA features include AF Tracking, Face Recognition, Intelligent D-range Control, Intelligent Resolution, MEGA O.I.S. (included in the lens), Intelligent ISO Control and Intelligent Scene Selector. 

Rich options for further expandability

The LUMIX DMC-GF3 is compatible with Panasonic’s 3D lens - the H-FT012E. In addition to the G Series lenses – now totaling 12 with the introduction of the LEICA DG SUMMILUX 25mm / F1.4 ASPH - the LUMIX DMC-GF3 can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor. Adaptors are also available for the prestigious Leica M/R lenses.

Optional Accessories

· PL Filter: (Diameter varies depending on the lens to attach)

· ND Filter: (Diameter varies depending on the lens to attach)

· MC Protector: (Diameter varies depending on the lens to attach)

· Mount Adaptor: DMW-MA1, DMW-MA2M, DMW-MA3R

· Battery Pack: DMW-BLE9 [NEW]

· AC Adaptor: DMW-AC8

· DC Coupler: DMW-DCC11 [NEW]

· HDMI mini Cable: RP-CDHM15, RP-CDHM30

Included software

Bundled software with the LUMIX DMC-GF3 includes: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition for easy organisation of photos and videos, the SILKYPIX® Developer Studio 3.1 SE for RAW file development and Super LoiloScope for high speed HD video editing (trial version).

For more information call Panasonic on 132 600 or visit www.panasonic.com.au/lumix .