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Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3

Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
56
Features
57
Overall
56

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs

Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Later Model is Panasonic G2
Sony NEX-C3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Replaced the Sony NEX-3
  • Replacement is Sony NEX-F3
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Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the G1 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the G1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The G1 was manufactured 3 years before the NEX-C3 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-C3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the G1 grades against the NEX-C3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Sony NEX-C3

 G1 NEX-C3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic G1

 NEX-C3 G1 
IntroducedAugust 2011January 2009More modern by 31 months
Display resolution920k460kSharper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Sony NEX-C3

 G1 NEX-C3 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic G1 has got outer measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") with a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has sizing of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check the Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view overall size comparison of the G1 vs the NEX-C3.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G1 and NEX-C3 is 82 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The image below might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the G1 and NEX-C3.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G1 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-C3 will resolve greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics way more aggressively. The more aged G1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Portrait photography camera
57
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G1 Street photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Street photography highlights
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
79
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (225 grams)
lack of image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Sports photography camera
33
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
no phase detect AF
53
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Travel photography camera
Sony NEX-C3 as a Travel photography camera
62
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
71
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
lighter than competition in class (225g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G1 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Landscape photography highlights
57
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
70
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (400 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 Vlogging highlights
Sony NEX-C3 Vlogging highlights
18
can't record video
27
lighter than competition in class (225g)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
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Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G1 and Sony NEX-C3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1Sony Alpha NEX-C3
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Sony Alpha NEX-C3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2009-01-19 2011-08-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 3200 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.50 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video file format - MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 360 gr (0.79 lb) 225 gr (0.50 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 53 73
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 22.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 12.2
DXO Low light rating 463 1083
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 400 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $0 $343