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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ45
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
  • Launched August 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF5
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Overview

Here is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic GF3, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the GF3 (12MP) is pretty similar but the FZ40 (1/2.3") and GF3 (Four Thirds) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The FZ40 was revealed 12 months earlier than the GF3 so they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the FZ40 grades vs the GF3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Panasonic GF3

 FZ40 GF3 

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic FZ40

 GF3 FZ40 
LaunchedAugust 2011July 2010Fresher by 12 months
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic GF3

 FZ40 GF3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FZ40 provides outside measurements of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") along with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) and the Panasonic GF3 has sizing of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic GF3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FZ40 vs the GF3.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ40 and GF3 is 68 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by reviewing specifications. The graphic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ40 and GF3.

Plainly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FZ40 having a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic FZ40 will deliver extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The older FZ40 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
46
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
55
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
no external flash support
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography features
Panasonic GF3 Street photography features
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers touch focus
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic GF3 Sports photography highlights
43
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
low battery (300 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
54
good resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (494 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
58
offers touch focus
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse mode
low battery (300 CIPA)
low resolution (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
51
focusing manually
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
exports RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of Timelapse recording
55
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging advice
Panasonic GF3 Vlogging advice
23
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
more heavy than competition (494g)
32
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Panasonic GF3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Panasonic GF3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-07-21 2011-08-11
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II 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 area 27.7mm² 224.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 160
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 23
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Micro Four Thirds
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 107
Crop factor 5.9 2.1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 6.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite AVCHD, Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 gr (1.09 pounds) 264 gr (0.58 pounds)
Physical dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 50
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 459
Other
Battery life - 300 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $420 $360