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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
47
Features
48
Overall
47

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(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
Panasonic GF3
(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
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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.

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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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Panasonic GF3

 FS12 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic FS12

 GF3 FS12 
RevealedAugust 2011April 2009Newer by 28 months
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GF3

 FS12 GF3 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

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

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography features
Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography features
20
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
54
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography advice
Panasonic GF3 Street photography advice
56
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus by touch
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography info
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography info
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
not so great battery (300 shots)
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography factors
Panasonic GF3 Travel photography factors
51
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
comes with focus by touch
flash built-in
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (300 shots)
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
27
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
55
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
not so great battery (300 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging details
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of mic port
32
built-in touchscreen
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Panasonic GF3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Panasonic 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