Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC G3
42
SCORE
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Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16.05 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2
47
WINNER
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Panasonic Lumix DMC G3 and Panasonic Lumix DMC GH2 are both Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras, built around the same lens mount and the same Venus Engine FHD processor. The GH2 arrived first, in September 2010, while the G3 followed in May 2011 as the newer, more compact design. That size gap is measurable: the G3 measures 115 x 84 x 47 mm and weighs 336 g, while the GH2 is 124 x 90 x 76 mm and 442 g. The GH2 is 106 g heavier than the G3, about 31.5 percent more body weight to carry. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2011 | 2010 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
May 12, 2011 | September 21, 2010 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 115 x 84 x 47 mm | 124 x 90 x 76 mm |
| Camera weight | 336 g | 442 g |
| Optics | 42/100 | 48/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GH2 is the stronger choice for handheld shooting in dim rooms, because it offers in-body stabilisation while the G3 does not. It also carries a higher standard ISO ceiling of 12800, against 6400 on the G3, which leaves a higher exposure setting available when the light drops. For action, the G3 has the edge in maximum burst speed, shooting 4 fps against the GH2's 3 fps. Resolution differs only marginally, 16 MP on the G3 against 16.05 MP on the GH2, so neither body gains a real cropping advantage. Autofocus uses 23 points on both, and both cap the shutter at 1/4000 second with a 160 ISO base. The sensor designs differ, with a Live MOS sensor in the G3 and a CMOS sensor in the GH2. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16 MP050 | 16.05 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 | 4608 x 3456 |
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 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 | 128003003280000 |
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 | 128003003280000 |
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. |
No |  Yes |
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 | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 144000009900000 | 153360009900000 |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras cap their video recording at Full HD resolution, and both support frame rates up to 60 fps, so smooth motion playback is available from either body. The useful difference appears at the editing stage: the GH2 records in MOV and AVCHD, while the G3 offers AVCHD and Motion JPEG. If your editing workflow prefers MOV files, the GH2 fits it directly. | ||
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 | MOV, AVCHD |
| Features | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesEach camera offers the same rear screen setup, with a 3-inch TFT LCD of 460000 dots, touch control, a flip-out screen for waist-level or tripod framing, and live view. Both carry a built-in flash and support an external flash for stronger lighting indoors. Neither offers Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS or weather sealing, so wireless transfer and geotagging are unavailable on both bodies. | ||
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 | Yes |
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 | Yes |
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 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe GH2 carries the higher battery rating, at 330 shots from its DMW-BLC12PP pack against 270 shots from the G3's DMW-BLD10. Neither camera charges over USB, so both need a separate charger between shooting sessions. Storage is a shared story: both cameras write to SD, SDHC and SDXC cards through a single slot, so the same cards move between them without changes. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | DMW-BLD10 | DMW-BLC12PP |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
270 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GH2 if you shoot handheld in low light or edit video in a MOV-based workflow. Its in-body stabilisation steadies handheld frames at slower shutter speeds, and its 12800 ISO ceiling leaves a higher setting available at dusk. The 330-shot battery rating also stands above the G3's 270.
Choose the G3 for travel and everyday carry. Its smaller, lighter body packs more easily into a shoulder bag, and its 4 fps maximum burst rate suits casual sports and children's play better than the GH2's 3 fps. Both share the Micro 4/3 mount, so one lens collection serves either body.