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Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
60
Overall
48
Nikon 1 J2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
Portability
83
Imaging
52
Features
62
Overall
56

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J2
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 238g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Released August 2012
  • Superseded the Nikon 1 J1
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J3
Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic G2
  • Later Model is Panasonic G5
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Nikon 1 J2 versus Panasonic G3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the 1 J2 (10MP) and G3 (16MP) and the 1 J2 (1") and G3 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor size.

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The 1 J2 was brought out 14 months later than the G3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon 1 J2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the 1 J2 scores versus the G3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J2 over the Panasonic G3

 1 J2 G3 
LaunchedAugust 2012July 2011Fresher by 14 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Nikon 1 J2

 G3 1 J2 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J2 and Panasonic G3

 1 J2 G3 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J2 has outside measurements of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 238 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Panasonic G3 has dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") with a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs).

Look at the Nikon 1 J2 versus Panasonic G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the 1 J2 compared to the G3.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J2 and G3 is 91 and 83 respectively.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J2 and G3.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The 1 J2 because of its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic G3 will resolve extra detail having its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more modern 1 J2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic G3 as a Portrait photography camera
48
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
low MP (10 megapixels)
71
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Street photography factors
Panasonic G3 Street photography factors
69
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
lighter than others (238 grams)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
75
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus by touch
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Sports photography information
Panasonic G3 Sports photography information
48
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
sensor size is decent (1")
includes tracking focus
supports phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
terrible battery power (230 shots)
47
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
bad battery life (270 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon 1 J2
Travel photography with Panasonic G3
60
lighter than others (238g)
built-in flash
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
low MP (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
70
provides focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (270 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic G3 Landscape photography factors
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (1")
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
terrible battery power (230 shots)
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery life (270 per charge)
no Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J2 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic G3 as a Vlogging camera
30
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (238g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of mic jack
70
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
no image stabilization
no mic port
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Nikon 1 J2 vs Panasonic G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J2 and Panasonic G3
 Nikon 1 J2Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon 1 J2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2012-08-09 2011-07-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Expeed 3 Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" Four Thirds
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3448
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 160
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 135 23
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Total lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 11.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps))
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 238g (0.52 pounds) 336g (0.74 pounds)
Dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 56
DXO Color Depth rating 21.3 21.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 10.6
DXO Low light rating 363 667
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 270 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $550 $500