Clicky

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1

Portability
50
Imaging
56
Features
63
Overall
58
Nikon D3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Key Specs

Nikon D3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 6400 (Increase to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • No Video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 1300g - 160 x 157 x 88mm
  • Launched April 2008
  • Later Model is Nikon D3S
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
  • Announced October 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GF2
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Nikon D3 versus Panasonic GF1, one being a Pro DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Nikon and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the D3 (12MP) and the GF1 (12MP) is relatively well matched but the D3 (Full frame) and GF1 (Four Thirds) provide different sensor sizes.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The D3 was brought out 18 months earlier than the GF1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Nikon D3 being a Large SLR camera and the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the D3 scores against the GF1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D3 over the Panasonic GF1

 D3 GF1 
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Nikon D3

 GF1 D3 
AnnouncedOctober 2009April 2008Fresher by 18 months

Common features in the Nikon D3 and Panasonic GF1

 D3 GF1 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you have to factor its weight and volume. The Nikon D3 features physical dimensions of 160mm x 157mm x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") accompanied by a weight of 1300 grams (2.87 lbs) while the Panasonic GF1 has sizing of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs).

Check out the Nikon D3 versus Panasonic GF1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the D3 versus the GF1.

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the D3 and GF1 is 50 and 85 respectively.

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the D3 and GF1.

Plainly, both cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The D3 provides the bigger sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF easier. The older D3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 sensor size comparison

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography highlights
63
focusing manually
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Street Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Street photography camera
54
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
64
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
65
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
great battery power (4,300 CIPA)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
44
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery pack (380 shots)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Travel Comparison

Nikon D3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
51
great battery power (4,300 shots)
environment proofing
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
59
great battery pack (380 shots)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon D3
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF1
67
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon F mount)
screen size is good (3")
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great battery power (4,300 shots)
two card slots
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
great battery pack (380 shots)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D3 Vlogging information
Panasonic GF1 Vlogging information
9
no video shooting
25
offers face detection focus
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Nikon D3 vs Panasonic GF1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D3 and Panasonic GF1
 Nikon D3Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon D3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Type Pro DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2008-04-18 2009-10-14
Physical type Large SLR Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed Venus Engine HD
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 36 x 23.9mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 860.4mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 5:4 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4256 x 2832 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 51 23
Cross type focus points 15 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Micro Four Thirds
Amount of lenses 309 107
Crop factor 1 2.1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 922 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) None
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 60 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 6.00 m
Flash modes Front curtain, Rear curtain, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution None 1280x720
Video format - AVCHD Lite
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1300g (2.87 pounds) 385g (0.85 pounds)
Physical dimensions 160 x 157 x 88mm (6.3" x 6.2" x 3.5") 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 81 54
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 21.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.2 10.3
DXO Low light rating 2290 513
Other
Battery life 4300 images 380 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 to 20 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage type Compact Flash (Type I or II) x2 SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Dual 1
Launch price $5,450 $400