Panasonic GF3 Flash

The Panasonic GF3's built-in flash has a Guide Number (GN) rating of 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) at ISO 160. That's a actually a little weaker than the GF2's 6m (19.7 ft.) rating at ISO 100, as translated to ISO 100, the GF3's Guide Number would only be about 5m. That's a lot weaker than most digital SLRs, which are typically rated at 12 or 13 meters, but still better than no flash when your subject is close or you need some fill-flash.

The Panasonic GF3's flash is released manually by pushing the Flash Open button on the camera's rear panel. Raising the flash enables it, though it can be defeated using a menu selection. It never pops up automatically like some models, which can be good or bad, depending on your point of view. A novice would probably appreciate an auto-pop-up flash, but someone with experience might think it a nuisance.

When open, the flash doesn't extend very high, so at wide angle longer Micro Four Thirds lenses could cast a shadow when the lens hood is attached, especially now that it's aligned with the lens. Red-eye could also be more common. The Panasonic GF3's flash is disabled by pressing down until it clicks shut.

The Panasonic GF3's built-in flash has seven modes: Auto, Auto with Red-Eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On with Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync with Red-Eye Reduction, and Forced Off. Flash modes are changed via the Record menu, and available settings vary depending on exposure mode. A Digital Red-Eye Reduction feature is offered, which when enabled, will attempt to remove red-eye after the photo is taken, via post-processing. A second curtain synchronization mode is not offered. X-Sync (the maximum shutter speed with the flash enabled) is 1/160 second, a bit below average these days, and there is no mention of a higher-speed FP (focal plane) mode. There's also no wireless flash support in the Panasonic GF3.

The Panasonic GF3 does not allow you to adjust flash and ambient exposure independently of each other, as there is no separate flash exposure compensation feature. Flash exposure bracketing is not supported, and there is no manual flash mode where output level can be set as a percentage of full power.

Unlike all SLRs and even the GF2, the GF3 does not have a hot shoe or accessory port for mounting an external flash unit, which is unfortunate as the internal flash is quite small and therefore rather weak.