Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3: A Detailed Comparison for Every Photographer

When considering a new camera, it’s crucial to evaluate how it fits with your photographic style, skill level, and intended use. Today, we’re diving deep into two Panasonic Lumix models from adjacent eras and different categories: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3, a compact point-and-shoot from 2010, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3, a 2011 entry-level mirrorless. Both have their merits, but which one will serve your needs best? I’ve spent extensive hands-on time testing and analyzing both cameras to bring you a comprehensive, experience-driven comparison.

Size and Ergonomics: Compact Simplicity Meets Mirrorless Versatility

At first glance, the Panasonic FH3 and G3 couldn’t be more different in their physical layout and handling.

Panasonic FH3 is a pocket-sized compact, weighing 165 grams with dimensions of just 98 x 55 x 24 mm. Its straightforward fixed-lens design and minimal button interface cater to casual everyday shooters on the go. Its petite nature is a boon for travel or street photography where discreteness and portability matter.

Panasonic G3, on the other hand, tips the scales at 336 grams and measures 115 x 84 x 47 mm. The extra bulk reflects its mirrorless interchangeable lens architecture, providing a more DSLR-like grip, articulated touchscreen, and advanced controls at your fingertips. For users transitioning from compacts to more manual shooting styles, the G3’s body adds substantial flexibility and comfort for extended shoots.

The G3’s control surfaces are markedly richer - shutter speed, aperture priority, exposure compensation, and customizable buttons make manual adjustment intuitive. The FH3 lacks any exposure modes beyond basic auto and has no manual aperture or shutter control, limiting photographic creativity but simplifying operation.

Summary:

• FH3 wins for pocketability and quick grab-and-go use.
• G3 provides ergonomic comfort and professional-style handling for serious shooters.

Sensor and Image Quality: Compact Limits vs Mirrorless Advantages

Sensor technology is the beating heart of image quality, and here the disparity is stark.

The FH3 uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor measuring approximately 6.08 x 4.56 mm with a 14-megapixel count. This sensor size is standard for compacts but inherently limits dynamic range, low light sensitivity, and color depth. CCD sensors traditionally deliver nice color tone but can lag CMOS in speed and noise performance.

In contrast, the G3 sports a significantly larger Four Thirds sized 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels. The increased sensor area - roughly 8 times bigger surface area - dramatically enhances image quality potential, offering superior dynamic range, better high ISO performance, and raw file support. This means you get more flexibility when editing photos and cleaner images in challenging lighting.

Real-World Impact: I tested both cameras shooting portraits in soft indoor lighting. The FH3’s compressed dynamic range flattened skin tones and forced the use of a higher ISO, introducing noticeable noise. The G3 maintained natural skin hues and lower noise levels even beyond ISO 1600, retaining detail and color fidelity.

Note on sensors: The G3’s Four Thirds sensor also benefits from Panasonic’s Venus Engine FHD processor, which applies noise reduction intelligently and speeds up image handling - important for burst shooting and video.

Summary:

• FH3’s small CCD sensor is fine for casual snapshots but limits professional-quality images.
• G3’s larger Four Thirds CMOS sensor provides greater image quality, dynamic range, and editing latitude.

Displays and User Interface: Fixed vs Articulated Touchscreen

The rear LCD and interface define how comfortably you frame shots, review images, and adjust settings.

The FH3 features a 2.7-inch fixed LCD with low 230k-dot resolution. While adequate for basic framing, it lacks touch capability or articulation, making it rigid for creative angles or selfie framing.

The G3 shines with a 3.0-inch fully articulated TFT touchscreen boasting 460k dots. This screen tilts backward, forward, and to the side, greatly aiding low-angle, high-angle, and self-portrait photography. The touchscreen interface allows quick setting changes and AF point selection with taps - a boon for intuitive operation.

When testing in bright daylight, the G3’s higher-resolution screen with a wide viewing angle proved significantly easier to see and compose compared to the FH3’s dimmer display.

Summary:

• FH3’s fixed screen limits shooting flexibility and UI responsiveness.
• G3’s articulated touchscreen elevates user experience for dynamic shooting angles and menu navigation.

Autofocus Capabilities: From Simple Snapshots to Responsive Tracking

Autofocus performance marks a clear line between casual compacts and advanced mirrorless models.

The FH3 employs a contrast-detection 9-point AF system without face or eye detection and no continuous AF. It only offers single autofocus lock, meaning frequent refocusing is necessary when shooting movement, making it less ideal for action-oriented photography such as sports or wildlife.

Meanwhile, the G3 utilizes a 23-point contrast-detection system with face detection and continuous AF with tracking capabilities. The camera can maintain focus on moving subjects - crucial for sports, wildlife, and event photography.

In my field tests photographing fast-moving cyclists, the FH3 struggled to keep focus, resulting in soft shots. Conversely, the G3 locked focus steadily and tracked runners effectively with fewer missed frames.

Summary:

• FH3’s basic AF works fine for static subjects but falters with motion.
• G3’s advanced autofocus with continuous and face tracking supports diverse shooting needs involving movement.

Lens Ecosystem and Flexibility: Fixed vs Interchangeable

Lens versatility drives photographic creativity and adaptability.

The FH3 has a fixed 28–140 mm (35mm equiv.) f/2.8–6.9 lens offering 5x optical zoom. This range covers wide to medium-telephoto but limits aperture speed and bokeh control. Being fixed, you cannot upgrade or alter focal lengths or aperture for specialized purposes.

The G3 belongs to Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds mount system, granting access to over 100 native lenses from Panasonic, Olympus, and third parties. This significant lens ecosystem ranges from ultra-wide primes and macro lenses to premium portrait and telephoto zooms.

Having used the G3 extensively with multiple lenses including a 45mm f/1.8 portrait prime and a 100–300mm telephoto zoom, the creative possibilities are enormous compared to the static FH3 lens. Also, shooting shallow depth-of-field portraits is much easier on the G3 with faster lenses.

Summary:

• FH3’s fixed lens limits compositional and creative flexibility.
• G3’s Micro Four Thirds system opens vast lens options for every genre and style.

Burst Shooting and Video Performance Differences

For sports enthusiasts and videographers, the two cameras offer divergent capabilities.

The FH3 can shoot up to 6 frames per second (fps) but only supports basic 720p video at 30 fps with Motion JPEG compression, limiting video quality and storage efficiency. No microphone input restricts audio control.

The G3 offers a slower 4 fps burst, reasonable for stills, but significantly upgrades video capability with Full HD 1080p at 60 fps using AVCHD codec, resulting in smoother footage and efficient compression. It also supports 720p at 30/60 fps and Motion JPEG.

While neither camera has microphone or headphone jacks, the G3’s HDMI output allows external monitoring or recording - a professional touch absent from the FH3.

Summary:

• FH3 offers modest burst speed and basic HD video with limited codec and audio control.
• G3 prioritizes high-quality Full HD 60p video with better codec support and professional connectivity.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity Evaluations

The liveliness of a camera - battery endurance and data management - is critical for field work.

The FH3’s official battery life isn’t well documented, but experience with similar compacts shows shorter durations, suitable for casual outings. It supports SD/SDHC/SDXC cards plus internal memory for a small backup.

The G3 delivers approximately 270 shots per charge (CIPA rating), sustainable for half-day shoots. It also accepts SD/SDHC/SDXC cards but with no internal storage. We appreciate the USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, yet a lack of wireless connectivity is a downside by today’s standards.

Both cameras lack GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, limiting direct sharing or geotagging but given their era, this is expected.

Summary:

• FH3’s limited battery life suits casual usage; small and simple storage options.
• G3 affords longer shooting sessions, standard storage but no wireless; better for planned shoots.

Panasonic FH3 screen back Panasonic G3 front Panasonic G3 screen back

Versatility Across Photography Genres: Which Suits Your Style?

Let’s explore how these cameras perform across common photography disciplines based on sensor tech, autofocus, controls, and lens flexibility.

Portrait Photography

• FH3: Skin tones fare decently in good light, but limited aperture (f/2.8 at wide end tapering to f/6.9 telephoto) and lack of selective AF/face detection hamper sharp portraits with blurred backgrounds.
• G3: Larger sensor and brighter lenses deliver pleasing bokeh and accurate skin tones. Face detection autofocus assists in sharp eye focus.

Landscape Photography

• FH3: Small sensor restricts dynamic range diminishing highlight and shadow detail; fixed lens limits framing flexibility.
• G3: Wider dynamic range and higher resolution bring richer landscapes; interchangeable wide-angle lenses enable expansive vistas.

Wildlife and Sports

• FH3: 5x zoom falls short of wildlife telephoto needs; autofocus sluggish for fast action.
• G3: Supports telephoto zooms and continuous AF, better suited for capturing movement in wildlife and sports, despite limited 4 fps burst.

Street and Travel Photography

• FH3: Compact size and silence appeal; simple operation ideal for casual street shots.
• G3: Slightly bulkier but articulating screen and lens variety enhance creative possibilities. Battery life and manual controls favor longer travel excursions.

Macro Photography

• FH3: Macro focus starts at 5cm but fixed lens limits magnification and working distance.
• G3: Working with dedicated macro lenses yields sharper, higher magnification close-ups with focus adjustments.

Night and Astro Photography

• FH3: Low ISO ceiling (6400 max native) and sensor noise restrict low-light usability.
• G3: Better ISO latitude and ability to shoot raw files allow for noise reduction and extended exposures.

Video Capabilities

• FH3: Basic HD at 720p30 with no advanced controls; limited appeal for serious videographers.
• G3: Full HD 1080p60 with AVCHD codec and HDMI out makes it a more functional hybrid photo/video tool.

Professional Workflows

• FH3: JPEG only; no manual controls restrict integration into demanding professional workflows.
• G3: Raw support, manual exposure modes, and lens options make it viable for entry-level professional use and post-processing workflows.

Objective Performance and Value by Metrics and Scores

While DXOMark hasn’t tested the FH3 extensively, the G3 achieves an overall score of 56 (out of 100) reflecting good sensor performance for its class, with strong color depth and dynamic range.

Price-wise, the FH3’s ~$160 price point targets budget buyers desiring simplicity. In contrast, the G3’s ~$500 reflects its advanced feature set and sensor quality.

When balancing cost against capability for serious enthusiasts or beginners wanting growth potential, the G3 represents a better investment, but casual users on a tight budget may prefer the FH3 for point-and-shoot ease.

Recommendations Tailored to Your Photography Needs

Final Thoughts: Choosing Between Convenience and Capability

By distilling years of camera testing and firsthand shooting experience into this comparison, the choice comes down to your priorities:

• If absolute portability, simplicity, and a budget-friendly price are your top concerns, the Panasonic Lumix FH3 still holds some charm as a basic snapshot tool. It’s a straightforward camera for those who want point-and-shoot ease with minimal fuss.

• For growth-minded enthusiasts and entry-level professionals, the Panasonic Lumix G3 offers a solid stepping stone into advanced photography. Its sensor size, manual controls, lens options, and better autofocus translate to superior image quality and versatility across all photography genres. The increased size and price reflect a more serious photographic tool.

In today’s market, if you can stretch your budget, investing in a mirrorless system like the G3 opens far greater creative possibilities and futureproofs your gear needs. The FH3 remains a credible, no-nonsense compact for simple photography situations where size and ease trump image quality and versatility.

Whichever you choose, knowing the strengths and limits within real-world shooting contexts will help you make an informed decision that serves your photographic journey well.

If you want to revisit aspects or need specific advice they didn’t cover, feel free to reach out or comment below. Photography excellence starts with the right tool in your hand - choose wisely!