Panasonic Lumix DMC GF2 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC GF3 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 12.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Panasonic Lumix DMC GF2
40
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 GF3 is the smaller and lighter of these two Micro Four Thirds mirrorless bodies, weighing 264 g against the Panasonic Lumix DMC GF2's 310 g and measuring 108 x 67 x 32 mm rather than 113 x 68 x 33 mm. Both take the same Micro 4/3 lenses. The GF2 arrived in 2010 and the GF3 followed in 2011, putting them a year apart. Neither has a built-in viewfinder, so both rely on the rear screen for composing shots. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2010 | 2011 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
November 4, 2010 | June 13, 2011 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 113 x 68 x 33 mm | 108 x 67 x 32 mm |
| Camera weight | 310 g | 264 g |
| Optics | 39/100 | 38/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe GF3 is the better pick for burst shooting, capturing 3.2 frames per second against the GF2's 2.6 fps. The faster rate gives you more chances at a fleeting expression or a moving subject. Both use the same 23 autofocus points, so focus coverage is shared rather than a deciding factor. The GF2 offers the lower base sensitivity, starting at ISO 100 while the GF3 starts at ISO 160. That helps for wide apertures or long daylight exposures, such as blurring a waterfall without a neutral density filter. The core optics otherwise match: the same 12.1 MP CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor, Venus Engine FHD processor, ISO 6400 ceiling and no in-body stabilisation. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
12.1 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. |
4000 x 3000 | 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. |
CMOS | 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. |
2.6 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
10030200 | 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. |
None | None |
| Viewfinder dots | N/A | N/A |
| Video | 56/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoBoth cameras record Full HD video, and each supports frame rates up to 60 fps. The practical split is file formats: the GF2 records in Motion JPG, AVCHD and PAL, while the GF3 records in AVCHD only. That Motion JPG option matters if your editing software handles simple files more readily than AVCHD clips, or you want per-frame stills pulled from footage without conversion. If AVCHD fits your workflow, either camera serves equally well. | ||
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. |
Motion JPG, AVCHD, PAL | AVCHD |
| Features | 49/100 | 49/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe GF2 is the stronger choice for lighting control, because it supports an external flash while the GF3 does not. You can bounce light off a ceiling for softer indoor portraits instead of relying on the small built-in unit both share. The rear screens match, giving both cameras a 3-inch TFT LCD with 460,000 dots and touch control for tap-to-focus. Neither offers GPS, wireless connectivity, weather sealing or a tilting screen, so geotagging and remote control 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. |
✗ | ✗ |
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 BatteryA single SD, SDHC or SDXC card serves both cameras, so cards move between bodies. Neither supports USB charging, and both carry the same 300-shot battery rating. The batteries themselves differ: the GF2 uses a DMW-BLD10 pack and the GF3 uses a DMW-BLE9. A spare bought for one body will not serve the other. | ||
| 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. |
300 shots1505000 | 300 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the GF3 if travelling light and a modest burst edge matter most: it is 46 g lighter, slightly smaller, and shoots 3.2 fps instead of 2.6, suited to children, pets and street moments. The shared Micro 4/3 mount and 12.1 MP resolution keep lens choices and image size the same.
Choose the GF2 if you shoot indoors with flash or want daylight flexibility: it takes an external flash for bounce lighting, starts at ISO 100 rather than 160, and offers Motion JPG alongside AVCHD for simpler video files.