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Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
47
Features
48
Overall
47

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Replacement is Nikon 1 J2
Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF5
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Nikon 1 J1 versus Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the 1 J1 (10MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is pretty comparable but the 1 J1 (1") and GF3 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor size.

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The 1 J1 was introduced 6 months after the GF3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the 1 J1 grades against the GF3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Panasonic GF3

 1 J1 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Nikon 1 J1

 GF3 1 J1 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF3

 1 J1 GF3 
IntroducedJanuary 2012August 2011Same generation
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J1 comes with exterior dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) while the Panasonic GF3 has dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Analyze the Nikon 1 J1 versus Panasonic GF3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the 1 J1 compared to the GF3.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and GF3 is 91 and 90 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J1 and GF3.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J1 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic GF3 will show extra detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon 1 J1
Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
48
you can focus manually
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
MP count low (10MP)
54
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
69
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (234 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
48
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
good sensor size (1")
has tracking focus
supports phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10MP)
not so great battery (230 shots)
37
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J1
Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
60
lighter than average in class (234 grams)
has built in flash
not so great battery (230 per charge)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
58
has touch focus
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
terrible battery power (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
56
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
good sensor size (1")
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
not so great battery (230 per charge)
55
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging info
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging info
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (234g)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic socket
32
has touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
no external microphone socket
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Panasonic GF3
 Nikon 1 J1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Company Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon 1 J1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-01-20 2011-08-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by - Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3872 x 2592 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 160
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 135 23
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Number of lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 234g (0.52 lb) 264g (0.58 lb)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 50
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.1
DXO Low light rating 372 459
Other
Battery life 230 photos 300 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $625 $360