Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G3
42
WINNER
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3
39
SCORE
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 are mirrorless cameras from 2011, announced a month apart. The GF3 is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 108 x 67 x 32 mm and weighing 264 g, against 115 x 84 x 47 mm and 336 g for the G3. That 72 g saving and slimmer 32 mm depth make the GF3 the more compact camera to carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 12, 2011 | June 13, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 84 x 47 mm | 108 x 67 x 32 mm |
| Camera weight | 336 g | 264 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe G3 is the stronger choice for detail-heavy work, with 16 MP against 12.1 MP from the GF3. That extra resolution gives more room to crop a distant bird or print a landscape larger. The G3 also shoots at 4 fps in burst mode, against 3.2 fps, which helps when photographing children or pets moving unpredictably. The G3 has a built-in electronic viewfinder with 1,440,000 dots, so you can frame at eye level in bright sunlight. The GF3 offers no viewfinder, so every composition is framed on the rear screen. Both use the Micro 4/3 mount, so the same lens range fits either body, and both share 23 autofocus points and a 160 to 6400 ISO range. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 12.1 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4592 x 3448 | 4000 x 3000 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
Live MOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
4 fps045 | 3.2 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Venus Engine FHD | Venus Engine FHD |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
16030200 | 16030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
64003003280000 | 64003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
400080032000 | 400080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
230300 | 230300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
✗ | ✗ |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | None |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoFamily clips look sharp on a large TV from either camera, because both record at a maximum resolution of Full HD. Frame rate peaks at 60 fps on each body, a separate limit that keeps fast motion fluid in casual clips. The G3 also offers Motion JPEG recording alongside AVCHD, an easier route into simple editing software when you do not want an AVCHD workflow. The GF3 records AVCHD only. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD | Full HD |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 60 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
✗ | ✗ |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
AVCHD, Motion JPEG | AVCHD |
| Features | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G3's flip screen makes ground-level flower shots and overhead framing in a crowd far easier to set up, while the GF3's fixed screen limits every composition to one viewing angle. The G3 also supports an external flash, useful for bounce lighting at indoor events, whereas the GF3 offers only its built-in flash. Touch framing is a shared strength. Each camera has a 3-inch touch-sensitive TFT LCD with 460,000 dots and live view, plus a built-in flash for fill light. Neither body offers GPS, weather sealing, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so wireless transfer and geotagging are unavailable on both. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
 Yes | Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | No |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
4600001150001500000 | 4600001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | No |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
✗ | ✗ |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 16/100 | 16/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GF3 rates 300 shots on a full charge from its DMW-BLE9 battery, 30 more than the 270-shot rating of the G3's DMW-BLD10. Both write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot, and neither supports USB charging. The different battery types also mean spare batteries cannot be shared between the two bodies. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLD10 | DMW-BLE9 |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
270 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
The G3 is the better pick for most photographers. Its 16 MP sensor, eye-level viewfinder, articulating screen, faster 4 fps burst and external flash support cover landscapes, travel, indoor events and any bright day when a rear screen is hard to see. Choose the GF3 when the smallest, lightest body is the priority: at 264 g it is the more portable camera, and its 300-shot battery rating exceeds the G3's 270. Otherwise the G3's extra capability makes it the stronger buy.