Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3
82 Imaging
46 Features
50 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(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
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic G1 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Sony NEX-C3
G1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic G1
NEX-C3 | G1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | More modern by 31 months |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Sony NEX-C3
G1 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More accurate focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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 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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 | Sony 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 |