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====== Interview concerning GH3 ======

Here it is

{{vimeo>49831263?medium}}:
The interview with **Markus Matthes**, Senior Product Manager of Panasoniic Germany. \\

{{ :coverage:interview.jpg |}}

We got many answers, however many questions were not answered. \\
Find the answers to the questions in bold. \\
We collected all unanswered questions, and I have been offered by Panasonic to send these to them. Panasonic Germany will forward these questions to Japan, to get the answers from there. \\
We will see.

**IMPORTANT:** I could not ask all the questins below. I talked a lot before and after the interview, I tried out a lot. I've answered all the questions to the best of my knowledge. I hope they are all correct, but I can not give a guarantee. 
When there is  "No information", I either could not ask the question or find an answer, or there was just no information available from the Panasonic people. They did not get all technical information from Japan, and the people we talked to were not technicians, but either PR or marketing people. 

I hope this information is useful to you.
Please also have a look at the video interview. There may be things I have missed here.

Also, I LIKED THE GH3.
It had a good feel and I was very impressed with the low light detail and sharpnes in the videos. No matter if it has 4:2:0 or not, it will be a very good camera. Perhaps not all what we have expected or hoped for, but there may be alterations in the final firmeware, firmware updates and there is Vitaliy :)

====== Questions list ======

~~FAQ~~

=?=== Video =====

??? 4:2:2, 10 bit? 


!!! 4:2:0, 8 bit.

??? 16 Megapixel “Wide dynamic range” Live MOS Sensor?  


!!! Confirmed

??? Dynamic Range: How many stops? 

!!! 
No Information. Better Dynamic Range yes, they have implemented a new Low-pass filter but no information from Japan, how many stops DR

??? Sony Sensor? 

!!! "No comment"

??? Why was the multi-aspect ratio option removed for the GH3?


!!! No direct answer, but he said many users did not notice the multi aspect sensor at all.

??? AVC-Ultra specs coming to GH3?

!!! No

??? ISO 200-12800 

!!! Confirmed 

??? Also in video?  

!!! Confirmed, extended to 125 to 25,600

??? Video 1080p48 mode

!!! No

??? 1080p50/1080p60 at 28mbps, 50mbps? 

!!! Confirmed

??? ALL-I 72mbps  

!!! Confirmed, but only in 1080/24 and 25p as well as 720/50P

??? 1080p120/1080p100 special modes (limited time usage),  

!!! Not implemented

??? 720p120/720p100 unlimited. How about those abilities of the GH3? 

!!! Not implemented

??? Interval shooting and slow motion. Slow Movie extension (40%, 50%, 80%) Fast 160/ 200 / 300% 

!! Only slower and faster replay, not changed FPS. (seems like wrong answer!)

??? 30p/25p in MP4, MOV and AVCHD 

!!! Confirmed, but looks at the specs. I am not 100% sure.

??? 1740k OLED LVF, Touch Monitor OLED 610k. Double OLED

!!! Confirmed. Much faster reaction time. Contrast: 10,000 : 1

??? Time Code, How do you sync the time code in a studio setting? 

!!! Sync to studio code is not possible at that stage. Only record run and free run.

??? Focus Peaking 

!!! No

??? Focus tracking in video mode installed now finally? 

!!! They did not know. We tried, but it did not work, that does not have to mean anything (also firmware is beta 0.4 version). Maybe. Should be.

??? Better PAL support, ie. real 25p/50 added, not as an afterthought in an I wrapper (HBR) 

!!! By the look into the menu, yes. But I am not sure.

??? Can you take stills during video with the 1080p @ 60 FPS video mode? 

!!! Probably. I tried, but did not have the time to find out fur sure.

??? What are the fastest and slowest shutter speeds available during video?  

!!! 1/30 to 1/4000 with auto focus. With MF ½ to 1/4000

??? Are all modes 4:2:0 or are there 4:2:2 options like MJPEG was on the GH1? 

!!! No, only 4:2:0

??? Will there be the ability to switch between PAL and NTSC recording? 

!!! We do not know yet.

??? Fastest AF of any interchangeable lens system camera. With which lenses does that work in high speed? 

!!! With the new 12 – 35 and 35 to 100. The other lenses might be also a bit faster, but really only with the new ones.

??? HDMI out: what specifications? Will the HDMI out support 10 bit colour depth and/or 4:2:2 resolution? 

!!! No, 4:2.0, 8 bit.

??? Will the HDMI out support native 24P and 25P or is it embedded in 50/60i wrapper? Could it be an selectable option? 

!!! I got a 90% yes.

??? Does HDMI support clean output? 

!!! Yes. You can choose if with or without camera information.

??? Does HDMI support more recording modes (like 720P) now? 

!!! Possible, but no definitive answer.

??? HDR Videos? 

!!! No

??? An anti-aliasing filter which is the same as on the GH2? (this would be a good thing) Moiré free like GH2? 

!!! A new low band pass filter is installed but otherwise no information.

??? Focus peaking and zebras? 

!!! No

??? Will some regions feature recording time limits? 

!!! Yes, but seemingly the GH3 will stop recording, drop a frame and then start immediately to record again, without visible break (depending on the filmed subject).

??? GH2 has a gamma shift occurring on its HDMI out after record is pressed. The same with GH3? 

!!! I saw a Gamma shift when I pressed record in the EVF. If that is also in the HDMI out, there is no information. 

??? Would it be possible to implement ability to record in cinema aspect ratios such as 2.40:1 instead of only 16:9 

!!! To what I have heard no.

??? Will there be extra guide lines like 2.35:1?

!!! No

??? Can user edit picture profiles on the GH3? What parameters are available? Gamma curves?

!!! No

??? Will there be third party iOS + Android applications, and what kind of applications will Panasonic offer?

!!! No information

??? How much more dynamic range will the GH3 have compared to the GH2?

!!! More, but no information with numbers from Japan.

??? Has rolling shutter been improved?

!! To what I have seen no.

??? Does it have a 4:3 video mode?

!!! 640 x 480 I think

??? Will it record 120 FPS or 250 FPS video in the slow motion modes.

!!! No

??? Will the ETC feature support continuous lossless zooming with the new zoom lever during video like the Canon Rebel cameras now do?


!!! No information

??? Can we shoot RAW images during video without interrupting the video using the electronic shutter? How does the time code work?

!!! No information

??? What is the sensor read out speed for the GH3? The GH2 was advertised as having 120 FPS readout speed. 

!!! 240 FPS

??? Can ISO be modified while recording video?

!!! No

??? Have the shadow flicker issues documented on Personal-View(that intermittently appeared on the GH2) been resolved?

!!! No information

??? Has the ISO bug (where the noise floor in video mode for top row ISOs like 160, 320, 640, etc. depended on how the ISO was selected) been resolved?

!!! No information

??? Will Panasonic be including video editing software or partnering with any other company on that front?

!!! No information

??? Will Panasonic be providing higher bitrates using Panasonic verified cards to facilitate a combination of compatibility and quality?

!!! No information, but I think very unlikely.

??? What GOPs are being used by the codec?

!!! No information

??? What file system is being used and do videos still span every 4GB or are larger files possible?

!!! Same as in the GH2

??? Does the GH3 retains the Extra Tele Conversion function? 

!!! Yes

??? In what modes?

!!! Look at the specs. I think it is mentioned there.

??? Any AF improvements in the Continuous Tracking Mode? 

!!! You mean Auto Tracking? We do not know if it works in the GH3.

??? Connectivity: HDMI (characteristics), 

!!! No information

??? USB 2? 

!!! Yes

??? USB3?

!!! No

??? WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n?)

!!! 802.11 b/g/n, 2412 MHz - 2462 MHz (11ch), Wi-Fi/WPA/WPA2, Infrastructure mode

??? Which other weather (moister and/or dust?) lenses are planned to be released by Panasonic?

!!! Look at the press announcement. 2 more lenses are planned. One 42,5 1.2 and the other I do not remember.

??? Is there a feature to de-squeeze the view from an anamorphic lens?

!!! No

??? Is the GH3 truly weather sealed?

!!! I would not go into a Monsun with it.

??? What are the ETC options for video?

!!! Not sure, but several ones depending on the recording format. Maybe it is in the video.

??? Does the GH3 record stereo or mono PCM audio?

!!! As far as I know it the MOV recording linear uncompressed PCM stereo.

??? Can video be streamed from the GH3 to a phone? 

!!! Not sure.

??? Can it be streamed to the internet for live broadcasting? 

!!! No information.

=?=== Photo =====

??? Electronic shutter
!!! Yes, but no further information

??? Better JPEGs?
!!! Yes, but no explanation why and how.**

??? Does the GH3 sensor supports the multi-aspect ratio capability, as one of the GH2? 
!!! No multi Aspect. Confirmed, it is 4:3

??? A shutter to take photos without sound?
!!! Yes.

??? What is the max ISO Auto ISO will use for Stills?  
!!! I do not know the AUTO ISO. Normal Confirmed 200 – 12.800 extended to 125 to 25.600**

??? Can you set an upper and lower shutter speed limit for the Auto ISO mode?
!!! No information

??? What is the maximum shutter duration in Bulb mode? The GH2 was limited to 2 minutes and 8 seconds. The GF1 could do 4 minutes & 16 seconds.
!!! I asked, but they did not know

??? What is the maximum FPS it will shoot while maintaining live view?
!!! Check the last part of the press conference video. There I shoot burst with RAW and with JEPG. 
Raw was only lasting one or 2 seconds and then slowed down very much, JPEG was on “H”, (second fastest) I think 6 fps, and it had life view. You can see it in the Video.

??? HDR Pictures? 
!!! Confirmed. The GH3 takes 3 pictures and joins it together to one HDR picture

??? What is the maximum ISO that you can use with the Electronic Shutter mode?
!!! I think the same as normal shutter, but I am not sure.

??? What is the maximum shutter duration you can use with the electronic shutter mode?
!!! No information

??? Will there be any support for doing custom color profiles for converting and uploading RAW images into JPG images in camera?
!!! No information

??? Will there be an Intervalometer app right from the start? 
!!! Confirmed, to be set from a smartphone. I do not know if you can also set it in the camera, but I would think so.

??? What are the in camera HDR options?
!!! No information

??? Have any changes been made to bracketing? Has the range been extended between exposures or the number of shots possible per bracket incuded?
!!! I had a quick look into the bracketing menu and all looked familiar. I do not know, if they extended the range in any regard.

??? 6fps 
!!! Confirmed

??? Also fast burst like GH2, 40 fps? If yes, how fast and for how long?
!!! The GH3 has a SH version, faster than the “H”. I tried it and it was silent shutter. I do not know how many fps though.** 

??? How large is the burst mode buffer? 
!!! No Information

??? Can shots still be taken continuously indefinitely after the buffer fills at the rate card can handle? 
In JPEG I think so.,
!!! In RAW definitively not. Only 1 or 2 seconds, than it slows down.
Check the last part of the press conference video. There I shoot burst with RAW and with JEPG. 


??? Is the GH3 electronic (rolling) shutter the same as one in the G5? Does it have the same limitations as in the G5 (ISO<1600; exposure time < 1sec; no flash)?
!!! No information

??? Any remote TTL flash control capabilities? 
!!! Yes, studio flashs can by syncronized.

??? (can it be done via WiFi?)
!!! No information

??? Does the Focus Peaking (highlighting the edges of objects which are in focus) complement/replace the Focus Assist (auto-zoom-in) mode? 
!!! No focus peaking

??? Does the burst speed for stills depend on card write speed? The GH2 wrote to the buffer first so card speed did not affect burst speed. 
!!! No information. All I know I have written above.

??? Which lenses would be offered as a kit-lens for GH3? 
14-140mm for 1799. And 12-35 for 2199 (I am not 100% sure on the prices. But they are officially stated somewheren)

??? Panorama function?
!!! No information

=?=== Audio =====

??? 3.5 Mic in 
!!! Confirmed

??? Built-in stereo mic 
!!! Confirmed

??? Audio out 
!!! Confirmed 3,5

??? I would like to know more about the external XLR accessory. Such as does it have phantom power and limiters, price.
!!! No XLR

??? Will Panasonic be publishing more audio specifications (voltage, levels, etc) to make it easier for people to interface the GH3 with other gear than it was with the GH2?
!!! No information. The menu for audio control looked very similar to GH2 though

??? Does the GH3 implement either uncompressed PCM recording or 24-bit as opposed to 16-bit audio?
!!! In MOV Linear uncompressed PCM. The bitrate I do not know.

??? Full manual audio control? Wheel or software?
!!! What do you mean with full manual control?
At the moment same as GH2.

??? Can an external mic and intervalometer be used at the same time?
!!! Yes, for the intervalometer is in the Cam already. It also has a external remote control in 

??? Can audio levels be modified during recording without stopping?
!!! Yes it is possible! In Video-Menü via touchscreen.

??? Will Panasonic be specifiying the meaning of the bars on the audio meter (i.e. the dbFS lelvels) or for the audio levels set?
!!! Not at the moment. Perhaps later

??? How many increments of level control are offered?
!!! 4 like in the GH2

??? Can the GH3 accept hotter input signals without distorting than the GH2 (e.g. the +20dB gain setting on the Rode VMP)?
!!! No information. At the moment I would think no.

??? Is it possible to turn 'off' the auto gain during audio recording?
!!! No information

=?=== Other =====

??? PC control
!!! No information

??? External battery grip 
!!! Confirmed around 300 €

??? Wifi with remote control through iOS and Android Applications 
!!! Confirmed, can focus, Zoom (with the electronic Zoom lenses) and press shutter remotely
Auto transfer function for photos to tablet and phone

??? Can we see examples of the App and what can you control with the app?
!!! They had an app in display but only 2 cameras worked with the WiFi. I could not play with it.

??? Can we preview video picture on smartphone and can we start the video with Wifi?
!!! I do not know at the moment. 

??? Can we save video files via WiFi? 
!!! No, photos yes, video no. Direct upload to facebook etc possible, also , if you are in the Lumix club, you can store 1000 potos online in the could for free.

??? Does camera and the phone (android or iphone) suppose to be in the same local network with the camera for it to have controls to the camera or is it a direct WiFi connection with the camera and phone?
!!! No information

??? 2 SD card slots? 
!!! NO

??? What is the minimum recommended card speed?
!!! Class 10

??? Will it use the same batteries as the GH2? 
!!! NO

??? Will there be full support for UHS-I or SDXC exFAT cards?
!!! No information

??? What is the release date for the US? Japan? Europe?
!!! I only heard mid to end of November, and that they will have sufficient numbers

??? Did the positive response to the hacked GH2 create a positve perception of the hack at Panasonic following the Zacuto shootout this year.  Does  Monitor the forums?
!!! No information

??? Some Hollywood users have asked whether there are plans to start servicing GH series cameras in the pro division. 
!!! No information

??? Will all GH cameras still have to go through Austin in the U.S. for repairs or are additional service options being made available?
!!! No information

??? What is a bullet list of the changes from the GH2?
!!! No information

??? Will the GH3 support the protocols that allow the Canons and Nikons to use tools like the Promote Control Promote or bulb rampers?
!!! No information but I would not think so at the moment

??? Pixel Pitch?
!!! I think no

??? Battery life (in terms of recording time) vs GH2?
!!! Longer 

??? Is there an eye cup made for the GH3/GH2? Either as an offering from Panasonic or by following standard size & attachment to allow for 3.rd party parts.
!!! No

??? Pin receptacle for tripod quick-plates?
!!! No information

??? Body colors?
!!! No information

??? Is the 35-100mm F2.8 lens par-focal? Is the aperture adjustment continuous while filming and zooming.
!!! I think so yes, but not 100% sure.
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