@proaudio4 I think they might do a Canon. That is put most if not everything in an Af-100 type of body but at least at a more affordable price point. I don't know why they did not stick a tweaked gh2 sensor with a log profile and 10 bit 422 at 100 mbs (the gh2 sensor is already 12 bit raw) and perhaps faster readout for less jello and sell it at about what they are selling the Af100 3.5k. That would have put them back in the large sensor market.

Now they only have a camera that has lost 30% of its value in 1 year and that has no traction. I mean Zacuto did not even include the af-100 in this years test, this tells you how much this camera is a non contender. During this time Sony has a whole line from the Fs100 to the f65 and Canon also has entered the market with many product unfortunately at some very high price.

The large sensor camera is very different from the old video one. In fact it will resemble the dslr world where your investment is not only about the body but more importantly about the lens. Once someone is heavily invested in a lens system, he will have much more difficulty moving into another system. So the slower you are, the harder it will be to capture market share.

"I think a lot of people are dreaming in the case of the gh3."

True, but I imagine they have heard about how great the GH2 is with Vitaliy's firmware improvements, they may give us a gift with the GH3 (here's for dreaming) The GH2 has done very well for Panasonic, word get's around. They certainly can put and end to a lot of this you know who fanboy and open their market further.

I think a lot of people are dreaming in the case of the gh3. I see a natural progression of gh line of camera and against its competitors in the mirror less camera. Things like better body, viewfinder, lcd screen, focus, stabilisation and surely a headphone jack. In terms of image quality we could get better low light and DR.... and unfortunately what could cause some problem more megapixel. In terms of codec, we can expect at most avchd 2 with 60 fps. The rest are just pipe dream. This is a consumer mirror less camera, nothing more. Even if the mirror less camera are getting more pro like the olympus OM-D, we are far from the pro dslr line and further from the pro video video camera market. We can expect what most are demanding here in an af-200 not in a gh3.

Here are my asumptions:

-4:2:2 Codec implementation possible in mjpeg. Gh1 is example, so this may be possible.

-2k similar resolution proven in patches at mjpeg, sensor is capable. But i see this only If hack is made.

-Avchd 2.0 at 59.95 full HD possible as it is new standard, and prossesing power is allready been working 2 years in GH2.

-New Quad core processor possible, due to advace in technology and multithreading work in softweare and hardware level globaly. As such prossesor may be used in other panasonic products.

-Anamorphic crop only if hack is made

-Better bit rate, not possible at company stays at specs for security standards.

-Better LCD a fact

-Better EVF a fact as both are important for sales as they are "visually important improvements" good for selling more GH3´s as it looks better.

-XLR never

-improved boddy, all magnesium and more wight maybe at a higher cost. The same size dough as GH2 GH1. (Wish they opted for better plastic for GH3)

-Adio metering and levels. Very possible

-(Not surprised if new P2 SD card supported with only all benefits for Pro AVC Long-g new standard, || EDIT: But it is 4:2:2 so... maybe not , but AVC-proxy, its 8bit and 4:2:0 || (hope new implementation at 1080p 24p is at good as sony´s AVCHD on FS100 at low light and no macrobloking at all at 24mbt its strage how did the achive that )

-Wifi and weather seal will happen, (wifi only if resolution is in stills is higher than 18mp like t3i pixel count ) as they are easy to implement, with not too high costs.

-Better baterry life expected due to improved yields in Chip fab at 22nm in top class circuit inside GH3, also PCB improvements

-Better sensor, with maybe 2 more stops 1 due to better codec implementation, othe by sensor it self. Low noise at high iso a must, if you see m4/3 history of sensors, that is the way to go. Expect new design in sensor, but not global shutter, (not that its not readdy, just marketing wise is not a good time for mass global shutter takedown)

-Hack will happen.

I'd also love for it to not have that stupid, outdated 4 GB video file limitation that so many moderate priced cameras have.

I am sad to tell you that even professional cameras that shoot in H.264 have same limit normally. It is not camera induced, but happens due to file system restrictions.

Panasonic's much ballyhooed X900M camcorder (their best model in the consumer grade level) was supposed to be a big improvement over the TM900 given the PR spin... and it was not.

It is all your fantasies. Camcorders slowly evolve. This one got better and 3D LCD, better 3D lens option, and slight improvements in other areas.

Don't worry. GH3 will be nice. GF5 is already showing impressive color noise reduction performance at ISO 6400.

By partial do you mean support on the image processor, but not on the sensor?

No, I mean firmware, and encoder part specifically.
And, as I said, it is not normal support, but juts small bits.
Both sensor modes and encoder do not have any 1080p50 and 1080p60 modes. But, of course, have support for new MP4 modes (as they do not use frame doublings in 720p or interlaced wrapper in 1080 modes).

whatever. just so long as it makes a good espresso.

What would 'pro' features even be? 4:2:2 via HDMI? Peaking? P-Log? Headphone jack?(jokes)

Main question to ask is whether Panasonic is building a leading product (GH3 and nothing else), or preparing a new range of products (with AF101 replacement, and maybe something to compete head-on with Scarlet, C500, FS800)...in which case we should lower our expectations. Possibly, Panasonic holds the key to the future shape of the whole market in its hands.

It's a stills camera. (Here we go..lol.) - yet Panasonic obviously recognized the demand for DSLR video in the GH2. After using almost every Driftwood patch I've seen on here, I can honestly say at this point I'm having a hard time deciphering the differences between them... They are all amazing, but I think we've seen the full potential of the GH2.

I think at this point, if you want to get realistic about what to expect, the good news is there's a cinema camera coming that shoots raw with 13 stops of dynamic range for $3000.... Just on paper alone, that casts a pretty big shadow for everyone else in terms of what they can get away with price/performance wise.

The AF-100 has went kaput because the GH2 can render more detail now than a $13,000 C300. Either Panasonic will introduce a direct replacement for the AF-100 with AVC Ultra and such, (which I've heard nothing about...) - OR.... The GH3 will be an absolute beast. I don't think it'll get AVC Ultra, but it will probably have a better codec. The dynamic range will be an overhaul as well i imagine. I get better latitude with my T2i and Cinestyle. If the GH2 had a profile like that, I'm not spoiled... I'd probably not be so quick to jump on the next big thing from Panny.

Banding in the shadows, stuff like that, etc. Obvious issues with 8 bit 4:2:0... The point here, is that for $700... The GH2 gives you more than any DSLR on the market currently, sans the 1-DC. ($14,300 price difference too.)

The cool thing about the GH2 is that it is a True "Hybrid" camera... So if they wanted to throw a global shutter on the damn thing because people don't like jellocam, it would be justified. Because it can take great photos with a Global shutter too at the push of a button. If they can offer what they do now with 2 or 3 year old technology for $700, they could throw major features in demand on the GH3, hike up the price a bit, even if that meant over $2000, and that whole market would crap their pants. RAW capability will cost you $3000 in August, so:

1. Clean HDMI out. The internal codec wouldn't be such a big deal then.
2. Better Dynamic Range and Color.
3. 1080 - 60p
4. Better LCD.
5. Flat Cinestyle type profile?

Then, ....when Vitaliy hacks it, game over. :)