• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
  • Olympus PEN E-PL8
Links
Prices: Compare Prices Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic GH2
GH2 vs GH3
Olympus E-PL7
E-PL7 vs E-PL8
Successor: Panasonic GH4
GH3 vs GH4
Olympus E-PL9
E-PL8 vs E-PL9
General
Model Number: GH3 E-PL8
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $1299.99 $649.99
Street Price: $797.99 $599.00
Date Available: 2012-12-30 2016-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 19.6 oz (555 g)
includes batteries
17.2 oz (487 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 5.2 x 3.7 x 3.2 in.
(133 x 93 x 82 mm)
4.6 x 2.7 x 1.5 in.
(117 x 68 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic Sony
Effective Megapixels: 16.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 4/3
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.75 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 71  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.7  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.4  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 812  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 1840 (6.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
2336 x 1720 (4.0 MP, Other),
2336 x 1560 (3.6 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1744 x 1744 (3.0 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3200 x 2400 (7.7 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
1280 x 960 (1.2 MP, 4:3),
1024 x 768 (0.8 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG, 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.1 8.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (Slow: 60p/​50p/​30p)
1920x1080 (Fast: 15p/​12p/​8p)
1920x1080 (30p (24 or 16Mbps))
1280x720 (30p (12 or 8Mbps))
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: No Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds
Lens: n/a Olympus 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R MSC M.Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):   28 - 84mm
Focal Length (actual):   14 - 42mm
Zoom Ratio:   3.00x
Aperture Range:   f/3.5 (wide) / f/5.6 (tele) - f/22
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a 37.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x, 4x; Magnification ratio depends on recording pixels and aspect ratio 2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint (Full area touch is available) High-speed Contrast-detect AF: 81-area multiple AF; All target, Group target area (9-area), Single target (normal/small); Eye detection with left/right/nearest priority
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / OLED No / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF: 1,746K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.34x / 0.67x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor Optional VF-4 electronic viewfinder
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: 1,746,000 dots n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.67x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.34x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 614,000 dots (204,600 px) 1,036,800 dots
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: Yes Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: Yes No
Selfie Screen: Yes Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 14.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800 25600
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto, Intelligent ISO, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; in 1/3 or 1 EV steps; expandable to ISO 125 and ISO 25600; Up to ISO 3200 in Auto AUTO ISO: 100 (Low) - 25600 (Customizable, Default 100-1600); Manual ISO: 100 (Low), 200 - 25600, 1/3 or 1 EV steps selectable
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, , Fluorescent, Underwater, Flash, Custom (4), Kelvin
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot Digital ESP metering (324-area multi pattern metering), Center weighted average metering, Spot metering, Spot metering with highlight control, Spot metering with shadow control
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Clear in Backlight, Relaxing Tone, Sweet Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome Scene (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Landscape + Portrait, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Children, High Key, Low Key, DIS mode, Macro, Nature Macro, Candle, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Fisheye Conv., Wide Conv., Macro Conv., 3D*, Underwater wide/macro, Custom Mysets 1-4 *3D lens(H-FT012 by Panasonic) only, still only); Art Filters (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Water Color, Vintage, Partial Color); Gradation (Auto, Normal, High Key, Low Key); Multiple Exposure (2 frames); HDR1/2 (4 frames)
Self Timer: 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds 2, 12, custom seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer): Yes Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes No
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction (when iA, iA+), Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Off; Built-in flash supports wireless mode (4 channels, 3 groups) Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (Full, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64), Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. 7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200) Bundled FL-LM1 flash has GN of 7m (ISO 100) or 10m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/250
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-I UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW + JPEG 12-bit RAW, RAW + JPEG, MPO
Movie File Format: MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio MOV (MPEG-4 AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG); Linear PCM 16-bit, 48kHz stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: Yes No
Headphone Jack: Yes No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional wired DMW-RSL1 Wi-Fi or Optional Remote Cable RM-UC1
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack Micro HDMI (Type-D), combined AV/USB/Remote connector, Accessory Port 2, Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.48  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.48  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): Unlimited  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): 0.46  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.1 8.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): Unlimited  
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.1  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 24  
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 5.2  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 20  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.21 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.086 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.38 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.079 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.202s  
Startup Time: 0.8 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 4.1 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 540 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:   90 minutes
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary BLS-50
Usable Battery Types: 7.2v 1860 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary BLS-50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No No
Software
Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.5 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial) OLYMPUS Viewer 3 CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Available in black, white or brown.