Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1
92 Imaging
44 Features
63 Overall
51


85 Imaging
47 Features
47 Overall
47
Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 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
- Announced November 2013
- Older Model is Nikon 1 J2
- Successor is Nikon 1 J4
(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

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.

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.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Nikon 1 J3 & Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1. The whole galleries are available at Nikon 1 J3 Gallery & Panasonic GF1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Panasonic GF1
1 J3 | GF1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | November 2013 | ![]() | October 2009 | More modern by 51 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper 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 type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications
Nikon 1 J3 | Panasonic 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 |