Panasonic Direct got the first batches of GH2's. Their support is lousy though. But they did have GH2's some months before anyone else.

In terms of reliability, it is in this order: B&H, Amazon, Panny Direct which is a distant third. Ordered many, many things from Panny Direct including the GH2 the very first batch.

In the GH2 case, they toatally screwed up the orders, cancelled all cutomers' orders without their knowlege let alone consent, then calling the customers one by one to re-order. it was a particularly messy process.

Unless you have the Employee Discount, ordering from B&H is far more reliable, and free of sate sales tax if shipped to states other than NY. Panny Direct on the other hand always charges state sales tax.

You forgot Adorama and Samy`s.

I try to buy from Samy`s a lot because they have local shops around here and I have gone there often to try out gear - their staff is also friendly, great and personal with most of them having photographic careers outside the shop.

I have only ordered a couple things from Adorama but so far they have gone well.

Honestly, I just have not had any experience with Panasonic Direct, but almost universally positive experiences with all the rest.

Amazon once had amusing issue I would like to share, though. I ordered a variable-ND filter direct from them (or fuilfilled by them via Amazon Prime) and the expected day the package arrived - with packaging. It had the case, the brand name, etc. but no filter inside. It was bizarre. Anyway, I got on the phone with them and they refunded the thing within minutes so I could either reorder or buy something else somewhere else if I was in a hurry. No red tape, easy to handle, but an amusing issue to have in the first place. :)

I added options that I know.

Anyone have proper link to Pansonic direct shop for GH3?

@mozes

Thanks, added to top post.

I purchased my GH2 from panasonic direct. It took about a month to deliver during the GH2 shortages but I would email them and they would reply with another estimated date. Not much different than any of the other sites.

Why is there still no information on GH3 availability in Japan? I assume it's supposed to be out there before any other countries?

Cheapest I can find in Europe is this....

http://www.photospecialist.co.uk/product/1686561/panasonic-lumix-dmc-gh3-black.html

Anybody used these guys before?

They also do a 12-35 kit for £1600.... too good to be true?

any chance the japanese model will not have english menus?

Is there no option that sells with a kit lens in the US?

gh3 can be ordered in netherlands with 14-140mm lens for about 1691 euro (incl vat), at centralpoint.nl , 2199 incl vat for 12-35mm kit at cameratools, i believe 1130 incl vat body only

Swiss prices are often better than in the EU, check anytime here:

toppreise.ch