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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
92
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Older Model is Nikon 1 J2
  • Successor is Nikon 1 J4
Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GF2
Photography Glossary

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Following is a extensive overview of the Nikon 1 J3 versus Panasonic GF1, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and GF1 (Four Thirds) use different sensor measurements.

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The 1 J3 was announced 4 years after the GF1 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the 1 J3 matches up versus the GF1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Panasonic GF1

 1 J3 GF1 
ReleasedNovember 2013October 2009More modern by 51 months
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Nikon 1 J3

 GF1 1 J3 

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic GF1

 1 J3 GF1 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Nikon 1 J3 offers outside dimensions of 101mm x 61mm x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 201 grams (0.44 lbs) and the Panasonic GF1 has specifications of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon 1 J3 versus Panasonic GF1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the 1 J3 compared to the GF1.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J3 and GF1 is 92 and 85 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to imagine the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The picture here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the 1 J3 and GF1.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The 1 J3 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Nikon 1 J3 will produce extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The newer 1 J3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography highlights
58
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
60
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography features
Panasonic GF1 Street photography features
70
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
lighter than average in class (201 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
64
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
57
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
has tracking focus
has phase detect auto focus
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (220 shots)
44
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
good battery power (380 shots)
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Travel photography info
Panasonic GF1 Travel photography info
69
lighter than average in class (201g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery (220 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
59
good battery power (380 shots)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse recording
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Landscape photography camera
64
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (220 shots)
60
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (380 shots)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Vlogging camera
30
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (201 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
25
has face detect focus
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic GF1
 Nikon 1 J3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-11-30 2009-10-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Venus Engine HD
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
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3072 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 135 23
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens support Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 13 107
Focal length multiplier 2.7 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
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 speed 15.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 6.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201g (0.44 lbs) 385g (0.85 lbs)
Dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 52 54
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.3
DXO Low light rating 420 513
Other
Battery life 220 pictures 380 pictures
Battery form 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/MMC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $170 $400