Favourite Cameras of 2013

GH3 with Lumix 35-100mm f2.8.

 

Favourite main camera: Panasonic Lumix GH3

Favourite backup: Panasonic Lumix G6

The season for awards    I have not the slightest clue which make or model might have been "best camera" of 2013. Such an award seems artificial and pointless to me. Individual photographers'  requirements differ so greatly that it is quite likely one person's ideal camera will be another's nightmare.

But I can tell you which is my personal favourite and why. The reasoning process might be of interest to readers considering their next camera purchase.

Photographic requirements  I am an amateur photographer. I record family, holidays, travel, and events. I like to record sport/action. Another section of my work is documentary, recording people, places, work and activities. I need a camera kit which is highly portable but also extremely capable, able to make images which are suitable for magazine reproduction or large format printing.  I am old and feeling my age. Anything large, heavy or bulky is completely off  the  menu. I don't care how many line pairs per image height it can reproduce.

Camera System  After many years experimenting I have settled on Micro Four Thirds (M43) as the system which offers me the best balance of image quality, performance and ergonomics in a compact kit.

Panasonic or Olympus ?  Having tried both I prefer Panasonic's approach to the user interface. This applies to the menus, control systems and ergonomics. Current model Panasonic and Olympus M43 cameras are quite complex due to their high degree of configurability. But I find Panasonic's ergonomic logic more direct, less convoluted.  The GH3 has features reminiscent of  Canon (D)SLR's with which I have a long history.  Control modules on the Panasonic are usually  located  where I expect to find them.

 

Why the GH3 ?   The first camera which I used, 60 years ago, was a medium format rollfilm Baldafix. Since then I have used almost every type of camera and system. The GH3 is my all time favourite.  Many reviewers appear to regard the GH3 as a video camera with less relevance to still photography. But I use it exclusively for still photos. I have to confess I have no interest in movie capture and have never made a minute of video with the GH3.

Overall evaluation  The GH3 is a photographer's camera. It rewards the expert/enthusiast user with a streamlined operating experience. It encourages the user to take control of the image capture process. It does not set up roadblocks.  It has thus far been reliable.

Image Quality  This is good enough for my requirements. Would I like more ?  Sure, but that will come in the next generation of GH cams and will be a bonus.

Performance  The camera operates swiftly. It is easy for the practiced user to drive efficiently. I never have to stop in the middle of a sequence and wonder how to reset some function. It has a large battery and a big buffer. It is easy to carry and operate.

Ergonomics  Holding, viewing and operating are all carried out smoothly and efficiently. The camera is very versatile. It can switch from photographing an infant close up to architecture to sport/action with just a few adjustments to the well designed and positioned control modules.

I can adjust all the primary and secondary exposure and focussing parameters in Capture Phase of use, with my eye to the EVF. 

Prepare Phase adjustments are readily made  via  Set and See modules, buttons or the well implemented Q Menu.

The test of time  After 10 months of moderately high frequency use I still enjoy using the GH3. Of course I have ideas about ways in which the next GH camera could be improved but they are about details, not fundamentals.  Panasonic got the basics right.

I await the next iteration of the GH series with interest but am in no haste to replace the GH3.

Favourite Backup: The G6  The G6 got a bit lost in  market excitement about other cameras but I have been using it intermittently for six months and have found it to be nice to hold, with good image quality and performance. I conducted a big test earlier this year comparing the G6, Nikon D5200 and Nikon 1 V2, each with a 10x "travel zoom" lens. I found the G6 to be  the best all round performer providing the most satisfying user experience. I prefer it to the GX7, kept the G6 and sold the GX7.