Panasonic 3D1 vs Panasonic GH2: A Veteran’s Take on Two Cameras from Different Worlds

When Panasonic launched these two cameras roughly at the start of the decade - early 2011 for the GH2 in March and late 2011 for the 3D1 in November - they represented wildly different philosophies and use cases. One an advanced mirrorless interchangeable lens camera with Micro Four Thirds heritage, and the other a quirky compact 3D camera with a fixed zoom lens.

After putting both through their respective paces over many months (and thousands of exposures later), I’ve gathered insights that speak directly to enthusiasts and professionals weighing real-world usage over marketing flourishes. Let’s embark on a journey comparing these Panasonic offerings, dissecting everything from sensor to ergonomics, and ultimately seeing who thrives where.

Size Matters: Handling and Ergonomics in Your Daily Grip

First impressions often start with how a camera fits in your hands - and here the gulf is obvious. The Panasonic 3D1 is a compact, pocketable device measuring just 108x58x24 mm and weighing a svelte 193 grams. Conversely, the GH2 is a beefier SLR-style mirrorless at 124x90x76 mm with a hefty 442 grams on the scale.

When perched on my desk, the 3D1 felt like a modern candy bar - light, unobtrusive, and quite inviting for casual shooting or travel. Its fixed lens and minimal physical controls channel the simplicity cherished by casual shooters or 3D hobbyists testing new waters. The touchscreen interface, with its 3.5-inch diagonal and 460k resolution, is bright and responsive, though it’s limited by the absence of any viewfinder.

On the flip side, the GH2's traditional DSLR-esque body design offers solid grip and a wealth of physical controls arranged ergonomically for quick access - think dedicated dials, buttons, and a fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen LCD mirroring the same resolution as the 3D1 but delivering a wider viewing angle and more flexibility when shooting at odd angles. It also boasts a detailed electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 0.71x magnification, invaluable in bright daylight or for precise manual focusing.

In my workflow, having dedicated physical controls proved an undeniable boon when shooting fast-moving subjects or switching modes mid-chase. The 3D1 excels in casual convenience, but pros and even serious enthusiasts will appreciate the GH2’s tactile feedback and programmability.

Sensor Showdown: Quality and Capability from the Core

Let’s talk about what’s under the hood - sensor technology and image quality. The 3D1 features a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor measuring 6.17x4.55 mm with a resulting sensor area around 28 mm², capped at 12 megapixels and with a fixed lens offering an effective focal length of roughly 25-100 mm (4x zoom) but notably slow apertures ranging from f/3.9 to f/5.7.

In contrast, the GH2 packs a much more substantial Four Thirds CMOS sensor at 17.3x13 mm, about 225 mm², sporting 16 megapixels. This larger sensor size is one of the major reasons why image quality and low-light performance take a big leap up.

From years of testing compact cameras vs mirrorless cameras, larger sensors like in the GH2 deliver better dynamic range, superior color depth, and inherently lower noise at higher ISOs. The GH2 shines with a DxO Mark overall score of 60, color depth of 21.2 bits, and dynamic range of 11.3 stops. The 3D1, unfortunately, isn’t DXO tested and doesn't support raw capture, which ties your hands to JPEGs baked by the camera’s processor.

In practice, I noticed the GH2 produced images that sustained finer shadow details and richer gradations on skin tones (critical for portrait work), while the 3D1 struggled in anything but bright daylight. Both cameras use a Bayer color filter array with antialiasing filters, but only the GH2 supports advanced exposure modes like shutter and aperture priority, further controlling exposure creatively.

LCDs and Viewfinders: Framing Your World

The Panasonic 3D1’s LCD screen is a sizable 3.5-inch fixed TFT full touch panel with anti-reflective coating. This means it’s bright and color-accurate but without the flex of articulation and no viewfinder - making it a challenge in high-sun scenarios or complex compositions requiring precise framing.

The GH2, meanwhile, houses a 3-inch fully articulated TFT color LCD (with touchscreen) that swings out and rotates. This flexibility allowed me to nail shots from hip level or overhead, invaluable for street photography and macro work. The presence of an electronic viewfinder delivering 100% coverage with a moderate magnification gives serious advantage when manual focusing or tracking fast subjects like wildlife or sports.

In practice, the GH2’s articulated screen and viewfinder combo make framing intuitive and versatile - the kind of all-around usability I appreciate when on prolonged shoots with changing subjects and lighting conditions.

Portraits and Bokeh: How Do They Treat Skin and Background Blur?

Portraits demand nuanced color rendition and skin tone fidelity, coupled with pleasing bokeh to separate the subject from the background. Here, sensor size and lens aperture play key roles.

The GH2, with its Four Thirds sensor and compatibility with a vast arsenal of 107 native Micro Four Thirds lenses, including those with wide apertures down to f/1.2 or f/1.4, easily trumps the 3D1’s fixed 25-100mm f/3.9-5.7 lens in terms of bokeh quality and shallow depth of field.

The 3D1’s lens at f/3.9-5.7 yields a relatively deep depth of field - good for snapshots but less capable of subject isolation. Furthermore, autofocus relies on contrast detection with face detection support but lacks advanced eye-detection autofocus systems. The GH2, while also contrast-detection-based, offers more robust autofocus tracking, selective AF points, and manual focus capability.

This difference is tangible in portraits. The GH2’s skin tone reproduction appears more natural, thanks to its superior sensor color depth and exposure control, while the 3D1’s output can sometimes appear flat or digitally smoothed.

In the Great Outdoors: Landscape and Weather Sealing Considerations

When trekking landscapes, dynamic range and resolution count, but ruggedness matters too. The GH2 wins hands-down on sensor resolution (4608x3456 vs 4000x3000 pixels), bringing out textured details in expansive scenes. Its 16 MP sensor allows for more cropping or large prints.

Neither camera offers weather sealing or dust resistance, meaning you’ll need to baby them in less-than-ideal conditions. The GH2’s larger body offers more physical robustness but don’t mistake that for weatherproofing. Both struggle in extreme elements - those hunting weatherproof travel cameras will look elsewhere.

Wildlife and Sports: Rapidity, Tracking, and Burst Potential

The real test for wildlife and sports is autofocus speed, accuracy, burst capability, and telephoto reach.

The 3D1’s fixed lens maxes out at 100mm equivalent and lacks rapid burst shooting modes (continuous shooting rate is effectively not applicable). Its autofocus, while offering face detection and multi-area modes, is contrast-only and relatively sluggish in tracking fast subjects.

The GH2, though limited to a 3 fps continuous shooting speed (which today is modest but was decent at the time), benefits from compatibility with specialized telephoto zoom lenses with faster apertures and image stabilization in the optics. Its AF tracking is also more sophisticated, offering selective AF area selection and center-weighted options.

Consequently, the GH2 - paired with a fast telezoom - is a stronger contender for action and wildlife photographers needing snappy focus and frame rates good enough for moderate action.

Street Photography and Discreet Shooting

Street photographers prize discretion, portability, and silent operation.

Here, the compact form factor of the 3D1 - with a quiet operation and absence of a whooshy mechanical shutter - edges ahead in terms of unobtrusiveness. However, lacking a viewfinder means you need to raise the camera to eye level for composition or rely on the rear screen, which is limiting in bright light.

The GH2’s larger size makes it more noticeable but offers the electronic viewfinder that allows shooting glancing down, reducing your visual footprint. Its shutter is moderate in noise level and certainly not overtly distracting.

Macro Adventures: How Do They Handle Close-ups?

The 3D1 touts a macro focusing ability down to 5cm, which is fairly close for a compact. However, its fixed lens and slower apertures limit background separation and fine detail capture.

The GH2 has no built-in macro mode but paired with specialized macro lenses from the Micro Four Thirds ecosystem, it provides superior magnification, focusing precision, and image sharpness. However, it loses out on built-in image stabilization, demanding stabilization via lenses or tripod use for critical macro work.

Night and Astro Photography: High ISO and Exposure Modes

Low-light performance is often a proxy for sensor quality.

The GH2 goes up to ISO 12800 natively and has a minimum shutter speed of 60 seconds, while the 3D1 caps ISO at 6400, with a maximum shutter time of 1300 (roughly 20 seconds). The GH2 supports shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure modes. This flexibility is invaluable for long exposures in astro or night photography.

From experience, the GH2 produces cleaner high ISO images with less noise, and its ability to shoot raw files means greater latitude in post-processing noise reduction. The 3D1’s JPEG-only output constrains that potential.

Video Capabilities: From Casual to Semi-Pro

Both Panasonic cameras boast Full HD 1080p recording but differ in frame rates and audio controls.

The 3D1 records at 1080p up to 60 fps but lacks microphone and headphone ports, limiting audio input and monitoring options. The 3D1’s video codec options include MPEG-4 and AVCHD, common for the era.

The GH2 also records 1080p video at 24, 30, and 60 fps, with AVCHD and Motion JPEG options. Crucially, it offers a microphone input but no headphone jack, giving more control over audio capture quality.

Neither camera features in-body stabilization for video, so steady footage relies on lens IS or external stabilization rigs.

Travel and Everyday Use: Battery Life and Storage

When traveling light, battery life and storage versatility matter.

The 3D1’s battery life gives about 200 shots per charge, which disappoints for longer excursions. It accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and has internal memory, which can be useful as a backup.

The GH2 doubles battery life at around 330 shots - still modest by today’s standards but reasonable in this segment, especially given the power drawn by the electronic viewfinder. It uses only SD/SDHC/SDXC cards and no internal storage.

Professional Workflow Integration: File Formats and Reliability

Raw shooting support is a staple of professional workflows. Here, the GH2 shines with native raw capture support, enabling detailed post-processing and flexible editing workflows - a necessity for professional photographers.

The 3D1, by contrast, offers only JPEG files with no raw support, limiting its appeal for professionals who demand uncompressed or losslessly compressed files for precise editing.

Price and Value: What Are You Really Paying For?

Retailing at roughly $670 for the 3D1 and near $1000 (used or discounted prices may vary) for the GH2, the price reflects the vast gap in capabilities.

While the 3D1 appeals as an innovative, easy-to-use compact with 3D capture, it is limited in scope and image quality. The GH2, despite being older, is a seasoned performer offering advanced controls, a larger sensor, raw capture, and the benefit of a mature lens ecosystem.

Putting It All Together: Camera Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings

Having discussed the features and real-world usage, let’s summarize overall performance and genre-specific suitability.

Panasonic 3D1 front Panasonic 3D1 screen back Panasonic GH2 front Panasonic GH2 screen back

The GH2 dominates in most disciplines except casual travel and street shooting, where the 3D1’s compactness and quietness count. Portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and macro photography clearly favor the GH2 for its sensor and lens versatility.

Final Thoughts: Which Panasonic Camera Should You Choose?

For Casual Enthusiasts and Travel Shooters:
If you want a lightweight, pocketable 3D-capable compact camera for fun snapshots and general travel use without fussing with manual settings, the Panasonic 3D1 is a decent pick. It excels at simplicity, offers optical image stabilization, and caters to those prioritizing ease over image quality. But temper expectations - especially in low light and creative flexibility.

For Serious Enthusiasts and Semi-Pro Users:
The GH2 offers a compelling package for those who crave creative freedom, better image quality, and lens interchangeability. Its articulated screen, electronic viewfinder, raw file support, advanced exposure modes, and superior autofocus make it the standout choice. It’s perfectly suited for portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, macro, and video projects.

Price-Performance Takeaway:
Though pricier, the GH2 delivers far more value for photographers wanting to grow and experiment. The 3D1, while novel, is more of a niche or casual camera, good for specific use cases but limited beyond.

Personal Note: After testing thousands of cameras over the years, I remain fascinated how manufacturers innovate within constraints. The Panasonic 3D1 reminds me of those experimental detours - some captivating, others less so - whereas the GH2 stands as a solid pillar of versatility and quality. Depending on your needs, either could fit, but the GH2’s broader capability set makes it far harder to outgrow.

I hope this comprehensive comparison helps you grasp the practical realities behind Panasonic’s two distinct cameras. Whether you prioritize compact fun or flexible performance, knowing the strengths and trade-offs ensures that your next camera purchase won’t disappoint when it counts.

Happy shooting!