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Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
13
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Key Specs

Panasonic FP1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH2
  • Updated by Panasonic GH4
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced Mirrorless and they are both built by Panasonic. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the FP1 (12MP) and GH3 (16MP) and the FP1 (1/2.3") and GH3 (Four Thirds) boast different sensor sizing.

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The FP1 was announced 3 years earlier than the GH3 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP1 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a concise view of how the FP1 grades versus the GH3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP1 over the Panasonic GH3

 FP1 GH3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Panasonic FP1

 GH3 FP1 
IntroducedSeptember 2012January 2010Fresher by 32 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kCrisper screen (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FP1 and Panasonic GH3

 FP1 GH3 

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FP1 provides physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Panasonic GH3 has proportions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs).

See the Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FP1 vs the GH3.

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FP1 and GH3 is 95 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing simply by going through a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP1 and GH3.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FP1 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic GH3 will provide greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The older FP1 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FP1
Street photography with Panasonic GH3
55
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than competition (151g)
65
screen articulates
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (550 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Sports photography features
Panasonic GH3 Sports photography features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
63
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
great battery pack (540 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Travel photography camera
50
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competition (151g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
71
great battery pack (540 shots)
environment proofing
provides focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors in class (550g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic GH3 as a Landscape photography camera
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
MP count low (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
71
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
great battery pack (540 per charge)
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GH3 Vlogging advice
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic socket
heavier than competition (151 grams)
65
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone support
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (550g)
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Panasonic FP1 vs Panasonic GH3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP1 and Panasonic GH3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Category Ultracompact Advanced Mirrorless
Introduced 2010-01-06 2012-09-17
Physical type Ultracompact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Venus Engine VII FHD
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Four Thirds
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 17.3 x 13mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 23
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 107
Focal length multiplier 5.9 2.1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 614 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - OLED Monitor with static touch control
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,744 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.67x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 20.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.90 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151 grams (0.33 pounds) 550 grams (1.21 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 71
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 812
Other
Battery life - 540 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $153 $799