Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51


72 Imaging
47 Features
60 Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
- Launched November 2013
- Succeeded the Nikon 1 J2
- New Model is Nikon 1 J4
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1280 x 720 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
- Revealed July 2010
- Previous Model is Panasonic G1
- Successor is Panasonic G3

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Overview
In this article, we are contrasting the Nikon 1 J3 versus Panasonic G2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the G2 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and G2 (Four Thirds) feature different sensor sizes.

The 1 J3 was announced 3 years after the G2 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Nikon 1 J3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the 1 J3 scores versus the G2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon 1 J3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2. The whole galleries are viewable at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery & Panasonic G2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Panasonic G2
1 J3 | G2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | November 2013 | ![]() | July 2010 | Newer by 42 months |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+461k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Nikon 1 J3
G2 | 1 J3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic G2
1 J3 | G2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focus | ||
Display sizing | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equivalent display dimensions |
Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Physical Comparison
When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Nikon 1 J3 provides external dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Panasonic G2 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs).
Compare the Nikon 1 J3 versus Panasonic G2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view dimension comparison of the 1 J3 compared to the G2.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J3 and G2 is 92 and 72 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor dimensions simply by going through specifications. The image underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J3 and G2.
Plainly, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J3 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Nikon 1 J3 will produce extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more recent 1 J3 provides an advantage in sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic G2 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon 1 J3 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2013-11-30 | 2010-07-12 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Venus Engine HD II |
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 | 14 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3072 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 6400 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 135 | - |
Cross type focus points | 41 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Total lenses | 13 | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Display sizing | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 921k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | TFT LCD | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | - | 1,440k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.55x |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Highest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shooting rate | 15.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m | 11.00 m |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Highest flash synchronize | 1/60 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Optional | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 201 gr (0.44 lb) | 428 gr (0.94 lb) |
Dimensions | 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 52 | 53 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.4 | 21.2 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 11.0 | 10.3 |
DXO Low light rating | 420 | 493 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 220 photos | 360 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL20 | - |
Self timer | Yes | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Retail cost | $170 | $1,000 |