Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3
95 Imaging
34 Features
14 Overall
26


90 Imaging
47 Features
48 Overall
47
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
- Introduced April 2009
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
- Revealed August 2011
- Previous Model is Panasonic GF2
- Renewed by Panasonic GF5

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview
Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and they are both offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the FS12 (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) feature totally different sensor size.

The FS12 was revealed 3 years prior to the GF3 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.
Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the FS12 scores vs the GF3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3. The full galleries are available at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Panasonic GF3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic GF3
FS12 | GF3 |
---|
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic FS12
GF3 | FS12 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2011 | ![]() | April 2009 | Newer by 28 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Very accurate focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GF3
FS12 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys exterior dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at the time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS12 and the GF3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and GF3 is 95 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by seeing technical specs. The image here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and GF3.
As you have seen, both cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The FS12 contains the smaller sensor which should make getting bokeh trickier. The more aged FS12 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Panasonic |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 |
Class | Ultracompact | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2009-04-17 | 2011-08-11 |
Physical type | Ultracompact | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Venus Engine FHD |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Four Thirds |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 17.3 x 13mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 224.9mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4000 x 3000 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 6400 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 160 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Number of focus points | - | 23 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | Micro Four Thirds |
Lens focal range | 31-124mm (4.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 107 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 2.1 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 460k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch friendly | ||
Display tech | - | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 60s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0fps | 3.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 6.30 m | 6.30 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | AVCHD, Motion JPEG |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 129g (0.28 lb) | 264g (0.58 lb) |
Dimensions | 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 50 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 20.6 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 10.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 459 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 300 photos |
Battery type | - | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Retail cost | $228 | $360 |