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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2

Portability
92
Imaging
45
Features
63
Overall
52
Nikon 1 J3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 201g - 101 x 61 x 29mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Replaced the Nikon 1 J2
  • Renewed by Nikon 1 J4
Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF1
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF3
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The image resolution of the 1 J3 (14MP) and the GF2 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the 1 J3 (1") and GF2 (Four Thirds) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The 1 J3 was released 2 years later than the GF2 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise view of how the 1 J3 scores versus the GF2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J3 over the Panasonic GF2

 1 J3 GF2 
ReleasedNovember 2013February 2011More recent by 34 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Nikon 1 J3

 GF2 1 J3 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic GF2

 1 J3 GF2 
Focus manually More exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J3 has got outer measurements 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 GF2 has sizing of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs).

Check the Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the 1 J3 and the GF2.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 1 J3 and GF2 is 92 and 88 respectively.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by checking out specs. The photograph underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the 1 J3 and GF2.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The 1 J3 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Nikon 1 J3 will show greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent 1 J3 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography details
59
manual focus
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Street photography info
Panasonic GF2 Street photography info
70
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lighter than average in class (201g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
65
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic GF2 Sports photography advice
58
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than average in class (201 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (220 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (300 per charge)
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Landscape photography camera
64
manual focus
change lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (220 per charge)
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
terrible battery life (300 shots)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic GF2 as a Vlogging camera
30
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (201 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone port
32
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone port
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Nikon 1 J3 vs Panasonic GF2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J3 and Panasonic GF2
 Nikon 1 J3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon 1 J3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-11-30 2011-02-24
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3072 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 135 23
Cross type focus points 41 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon 1 Micro Four Thirds
Available lenses 13 107
Crop factor 2.7 2.1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 921k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
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 15.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/60 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 AVCHD, Motion JPEG
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 201 grams (0.44 lb) 310 grams (0.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 101 x 61 x 29mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 1.1") 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 52 54
DXO Color Depth rating 20.4 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.0 10.3
DXO Low light rating 420 506
Other
Battery life 220 shots 300 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL20 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $170 $330