Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3
92 Imaging
49 Features
62 Overall
54


90 Imaging
48 Features
48 Overall
48
Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 18MP - 1" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Nikon 1 Mount
- 232g - 100 x 60 x 29mm
- Launched April 2014
- Succeeded the Nikon 1 J3
- Later Model is Nikon 1 J5
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
- Introduced August 2011
- Superseded the Panasonic GF2
- Updated by Panasonic GF5

Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview
Below, we are comparing the Nikon 1 J4 versus Panasonic GF3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Nikon and Panasonic. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the 1 J4 (18MP) and GF3 (12MP) and the 1 J4 (1") and GF3 (Four Thirds) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

The 1 J4 was unveiled 2 years after the GF3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the 1 J4 grades vs the GF3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Gallery
The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Nikon 1 J4 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The full galleries are provided at Nikon 1 J4 Gallery and Panasonic GF3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J4 over the Panasonic GF3
1 J4 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2014 | ![]() | August 2011 | Newer by 33 months |
Display resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+577k dot) |
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Nikon 1 J4
GF3 | 1 J4 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus |
Common features in the Nikon 1 J4 and Panasonic GF3
1 J4 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Nikon 1 J4 features physical measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 232 grams (0.51 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GF3 has measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).
Analyze the Nikon 1 J4 versus Panasonic GF3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the 1 J4 compared to the GF3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the 1 J4 and GF3 is 92 and 90 respectively.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the 1 J4 and GF3.
Clearly, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J4 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Nikon 1 J4 will show greater detail having an extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The fresher 1 J4 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J4 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications
Nikon 1 J4 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Nikon | Panasonic |
Model type | Nikon 1 J4 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Launched | 2014-04-10 | 2011-08-11 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Expeed 4 | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1" | Four Thirds |
Sensor dimensions | 13.2 x 8.8mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 116.2mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 18MP | 12MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 5232 x 3488 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 6400 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 160 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Total focus points | 171 | 23 |
Cross type focus points | 105 | - |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon 1 | Micro Four Thirds |
Amount of lenses | 13 | 107 |
Crop factor | 2.7 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 1,037k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 30 seconds | 60 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 seconds | - |
Continuous shutter rate | 60.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.00 m (ISO 100) | 6.30 m |
Flash settings | Auto, auto + red-eye reduction, fill-flash, fill-flash w/slow sync, rear curtain sync, rear curtain w/slow sync, redeye reduction, redeye reduction w/slow sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | - | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1472 x 984 (60p, 30p) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | MPEG-4, H.264 | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 232 grams (0.51 lb) | 264 grams (0.58 lb) |
Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 29mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 50 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 10.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 459 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photos | 300 photos |
Battery type | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL22 | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $600 | $360 |