Need a last minute gift idea for that photo geek in your life? Well, I was in my local Target store last night when I came across a screaming deal on a camera I really did not like too much when it was released due to it being too small, no EVF, etc. BUT I did not care for it at it’s original price tag of $600. While in Target I saw they had the camera on sale clearing them out at $399 with the kit zoom AND when you buy at $399 you get a $75 Target gift card back instantly. So basically, the camera and lens cost me $325 because I can now use my $75 gift card either as an Xmas gift for someone or to buy some groceries for myself. Not bad for a M4/3 camera and lens that takes great photos but also HD video as well.
I bought one and you can see it above with the Panasonic/Leica 25 1.4 mounted. At that price I could not pass it up! I would guess most Target stores are selling out on these but there could be some left so check out your local target stores to see if you can grab one. Would make a great Xmas gift as well, which is what I may use it for. BTW, My Pan/Leica 25 1.4 review will be coming next week!
Love the green. Great for jungle work.
the lens hood look decent.. where u get it? might buying one!
Hi Steve,
I started reading your site a while ago, and I’m interested to see your adventure with this GF3 purchase, since I have bought one recently as well. Would you have opportunity to share your experience with it?
I actually gave that as a gift so won’t be using it. For the price of that kit though it was a steal of a deal.
Steve,
Given a choice between the GF3 and the Olympus EP2, which would you take? Some really great deals around for the Olympus with and without lens. Sure, I want the evf, however, I am looking for a camera to use for around the price of an advanced compact.
Thanks in advance, Happy Holidays.
The GF3 with the 14mm and the 14-42mm is also selling extremely cheap here. At exactly the same price as the 14mm is sold separately! Tempting…
The GF3 with kit zoom was on sale at the same price, same gift card a few weeks ago too. Not sure I would call it “clearing them out”. None of the stores within a 50 mile radius ran out of them 3 weeks ago. The colors did run out online. Have seen aggressive holiday pricing on this camera from some other retailers too. I elected to purchase direct from Panasonic for $499, which includes the 14mm pancake lens too. Wish I could find an active forum of users as I learn this thing.
Leica use a not disimilar color on ‘Safari’ special editions.
Hmmmm ….
This isn’t a sneak peek of the anticipated M10 – sans Leica badge and in Lumix GF3 guise …. yet another blow to those expecting a new Leica FF model that takes legacy optics in the coming year ….
LOL!
For a moment I thought that the “G” in the GF really means green…
Wow for that price you can’t go wrong, I paid about 500 four months ago, haven’t used the kit lens much at all, I use a 25yr old Zeiss F1,7/50 with an adapter, takes nice pics if you’re patient with the manual focus.
Ahh, too bad. That would have been cool! But black is the best color for a camera anyway. I prefer it to silver.
Hi Steve, How would you compare the image quality of it to an old 6.3mp Canon digital rebel? I know it’s not truly apples to apples, but curious. Thanks for your time.
Michael
Never shot with the old Rebel, or the new Rebel. Wish I could help. The rebel has a larger sensor, and the rebel is also MUCH larger than the GF3.
I sold my old Digital Rebel (300D) to one of my friends who wanted a better digital camera than they had when the G1 came out. This gave me opportunities to “borrow” my old camera for side by sides. IMO it’s not even close the Micro 4/3 wins every time. Yes the sensor is physically smaller but the technology is 5-6 years in sensor technology newer as well. The color is just better to my eyes. The lens selection isn’t as large but what’s available for Micro 4/3 is as good if not better than Canon lenses unless you’re talking Canon L glass. Even still there are some gems like the 20mm, 45 Macro, 12mm Olympus, 7-14 UWA, and I suspect the 25 Summilux will be great if it’s anything like the older 4/3 version.
I have the original kit lens still and it’s easily the best kit lens I ever used on any system but it is a kit lens still so don’t expect super creamy bokeh. What it is is an excellent walk around daytime lens for almost any situation. I haven’t tried the new Sony A77 kit lens and I’m sure that it’s a better lens all around. I haven’t tried the current one but most I think prefer the old version to the new version. I wouldn’t be super picky when it’s a ~$300 camera that will outperform every current point and shoot out there.
Thanks for the input Tre. My Rebel was good to me but she has seen her last days. I’m an avid daily shooter and even though I’m not shooting professionally anymore I still do a bunch of print work. Nothing larger really than a 12×18, maybe an occasional 16×24. The Rebel with good glass and knowing how to shoot produced very decent images in my opinion, but if I’m truly concerned or want to go larger I will grab some film and my L glass. My health is crap now so I’m looking for a nice camera to keep with me at all times. I like the size and price of the GF3 and I know it does has some limitations. Would be willing to go up to something like a NEX-5n but figured with money I’d save on GF3 I could pick up a nice lens. So that’s kind for where I’m at. Buy the GF3 and have money for lens or pick up a NEX-5n and save up or sell some of my old glass to buy lens for that. There are so many nice cameras in todays market. Decisions decisions. 🙂 Thanks again.
Between the GF3 and the NEX-5n I would say go with the NEX. It has the mountable EVF and a new sensor. It also is a better low light camera. Now I would prefer the G3 likely to Sony.
I liked my Digital Rebel as well but it was too big for what I wanted to do. I had the D-Lux 4, G1, GF1, NEX-5 and eventually a M9 and M9-P
How’s the kit lens on the G3? And an M9, now you have me jealous. 🙂
The G3 kit lens is the same as this one for the GF3 I believe. It should be the 14-42mm lens. I have the 14-45mm and it is a really good kit lens. There are certainly better lenses for Micro 4/3 though. I found all of these mirrorless cameras to just be stop gaps on the way to the M9. Mind you can can get really good result out of the mirrorless cams and I’ve taken some of my best pictures with them. That being said the M9 just has “it.”
Wow. That green is intense. My have colors are green and purple. Didn’t Panasonic come out with another G series camera, or is this it?
Oh its not really green 🙂 Its black. I used an iPhone app to take that pic and it added the effect. This is the last GF model, that flopped. The new one is the GX1 which is just shipping now.