Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic LZ40

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 vs. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40: An Expert Hands-On Comparison

When I first laid eyes on the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 and the Lumix DMC-LZ40, I thought: here we have two wildly different photographic creatures under the same brand umbrella. One - the G3 - is an entry-level mirrorless camera with ambitions toward enthusiast-level interface and quality. The other - the LZ40 - is a bridge superzoom compact, built for all-in-one convenience and reach. Comparing these two is less about who wins some abstract spec battle and more about which tool fits which photographer’s needs. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks pushing both cameras through their paces across portraiture, landscapes, wildlife, and more - and I’m ready to share the full scoop.

So buckle up as we dissect sensor technologies, user interfaces, autofocus savvy, and real-world utility - all while having a little fun and keeping it practical.

Size and Handling: Portability Meets Ergonomics

Let's start with the physicality because, honestly, the first impression counts. The Panasonic G3 sports a classic SLR-styled mirrorless body, designed with a lens mount offering interchangeable freedom. The LZ40, by contrast, flaunts a "bridge" camera silhouette - chunkier and built-in zoom lens in tow.

The G3 measures a sleek 115 x 84 x 47 mm and weighs in at a featherlight 336 grams with battery. Its design, although compact, offers good grip contours - making it comfortable during extended handheld shooting sessions. Controls are thoughtfully placed for photographers who like tactile feedback, and the camera learns your habits quickly.

On the flip side, the LZ40 is bulkier at 126 x 87 x 94 mm and heavier (524 grams), which is less ideal for those who prioritize compact travel gear. However, the larger body gives the camera a robust feel, and its built-in 42x optical zoom lens (22-924 mm equivalent) delivers reach that the G3 can't match without shelling out for multiple lenses.

The G3's lens versatility is a major plus if you crave creativity; the LZ40's convenience appeals to those who want one camera to cover nearly every sweet spot in focal range - but at the expense of portability.

Design Philosophy and Controls

More than just size, the design and user interface tell a camera’s story.

Looking from above, the G3 is all about giving users manual exposure options, mode dials,, and responsive buttons. Its Venus Engine FHD processor smooths out operation with a modest but respectable 4 fps burst for action shots. The LZ40 is simplified - fewer control dials and no dedicated manual-exposure modes beyond aperture preference, with a continuous shooting rate hovering around a leisurely 1 fps, which makes it less forgiving for dynamic subjects.

The G3’s articulating touchscreen LCD is a joy to use - more on that shortly - and you get an electronic viewfinder that, even at a modest 1,440-dot resolution, is invaluable when shooting in bright sunlight. The LZ40 offers no viewfinder at all, relying solely on its fixed rear LCD that’s decent but can struggle under intense ambient light.

Sensor Size and Image Quality Fundamentals

Sensor technology lies at the heart of image quality, and here’s where the two cameras take dramatically different paths.

The Panasonic G3 boasts a Four Thirds-sized CMOS sensor measuring 17.3 x 13 mm - yielding a sensor area of approximately 225 mm². This sensor carries 16 megapixels and comes equipped with an anti-aliasing filter to balance sharpness with moiré reduction.

This sensor size is double or more of what the LZ40 offers - which houses a tiny 1/2.3” CCD sensor at just 6.17 x 4.55 mm (around 28 mm²). The LZ40 ups the pixel count to about 20 megapixels, which on paper sounds impressive but practically results in smaller photosites and somewhat noisier output under challenging conditions.

In everyday photography, the G3’s sensor delivers richer color depth (DxO Color Depth score of 21) and a dynamic range (DxO Dynamic Range of 10.6) that outperforms the LZ40’s untested but predictably limited small sensor capabilities - especially in shadows and highlights. The G3’s native ISO range (160-6400) is versatile, allowing cleaner images up to ISO 1600 or even 3200 with cautious noise management. By contrast, the LZ40 maxes out at ISO 1600 natively, but noise quickly becomes intrusive beyond ISO 400.

Real-world use reveals that the G3 provides cleaner, more detailed images with better gradation, while the LZ40 struggles under low light and high contrast.

The Back Screen and Viewfinder: Composing Your Shots

A camera’s screen and viewfinder form your visual workspace, and these cameras don’t hold back on different approaches.

The Panasonic G3 has a 3-inch TFT color LCD with 460k-dot resolution and, crucially, a fully articulated touchscreen. This screen allows easy angle adjustments for creative compositions - think low to the ground macros or selfies (hey, it’s selfie-friendly!). The touchscreen interface lets you quickly tap to focus and navigate menus intuitively, a boon during fast-paced shooting.

The LZ40 provides a similar-sized 3-inch display of equal resolution but is fixed and not touch-enabled, which feels limiting when you’re trying to shoot from funky perspectives or adjust settings quickly.

Another feather in the G3’s cap is its electronic viewfinder (EVF). It’s indispensable when shooting outdoors in bright light conditions and helps reduce camera shake by stabilizing your hold. The LZ40 relies exclusively on its LCD, which can be tricky under direct sunlight.

Portrait Photography: Who’s the Skin Tone Whisperer?

Portrait photography is all about nuanced skin tones, bokeh character, and that elusive eye detection that turns snapshots into soulful portraits.

The Panasonic G3’s Four Thirds sensor grants it a significant edge in producing creamy bokeh with fast lenses (especially Panasonic’s prime optics designed for Micro Four Thirds). The larger sensor combined with fast primes like the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 or 42.5mm f/1.7 Lumix lenses lets you isolate your subject beautifully. The camera’s 23 contrast-detection autofocus points, along with face detection, perform well in locking onto eyes - albeit not as advanced as today’s phase-detection systems, but very usable for the class.

The LZ40’s small sensor and fixed slower aperture zoom lens (f/3.0-6.5) limit bokeh potential. Its autofocus is contrast-based with only 9 zones, and while it does carry face detection, it’s noticeably slower and less precise in tricky lighting. Skin tone rendition tends to be flatter, with less dynamic range and color vibrancy.

For occasional portraits with family or vacations - yes, the LZ40 can produce decent results in good light. But for anyone serious about portraits, the G3’s sensor size, lens options, and AF system make it the clear winner.

Landscape Photography: Capturing Nature’s Vast Canvas

One of my favorite tests is landscape photography because it demands dynamic range, resolution, and environmental durability.

The G3’s superior dynamic range and resolution (16 MP with excellent noise control) enable richer detail in shadows and highlights, which gives you more latitude in post-processing. The articulated screen helps frame horizons even from awkward angles. However, a note of caution - the G3 lacks weather sealing, so use care in damp or dusty conditions.

The LZ40, ever the all-in-one zoom, offers wide focal lengths stepping down to 22mm equivalent, great for sweeping vistas. But the small sensor operator means dynamic range is limited, so skies easily blow out and shadows block up in contrasty scenes. Plus, its fixed lens and smaller depth of field capability means less creative control.

In sum, for serious landscape work, the G3’s sensor and image quality pay dividends. If you simply want a grab-and-go with some zoom range for casual landscapes, the LZ40 suffices.

Wildlife and Sports Photography: Speed and Reach in Action

These genres push autofocus systems, burst frame rates, and telephoto performance hard.

The LZ40 boasts an impressive 42x optical zoom - that’s a massive 924 mm equivalent focal length! For photographers who want to get close to distant wildlife without hauling heavy lenses, this is compelling. Optical image stabilization on board helps, but the small sensor struggles in low light or fast movement, and the single frame per second burst rate hampers capturing peak action.

The G3, while limited in telephoto reach without dedicated lenses, offers 4 fps continuous shooting and a more robust AF system with 23 focus points enabling AF tracking. Its contrast-detection AF is decent but not blazing fast by today’s standards, requiring some patience in really hectic scenes.

For sports shooters, the G3’s manual exposure modes and burst rate give marginally better control, but neither camera is a dedicated sports machine. Still, the LZ40's zoom range combined with image stabilization could make it a convenient wildlife travel companion where lens swapping isn’t practical.

Street Photography: The Art of Being Invisible

Street photography demands discretion, mobility, and snappy responsiveness.

The compact and light Panasonic G3 benefits from interchangeable lenses, allowing you to install compact primes (e.g., a 20mm or 25mm pancake) that keep you low-profile and agile. Its silent shutter mode helps in unobtrusive shooting scenarios. The electronic viewfinder and articulating touchscreen allow quick framing - especially in tricky lighting.

The LZ40’s bulkier bridge form factor is less discreet, plus its louder zoom mechanism and lack of silent shutter options make it more conspicuous. However, the all-in-one zoom lens offers flexibility if you want to quickly jump between wide environmental shots and mild telephoto close-ups without lens changes.

Overall, the G3 is the more refined street camera with faster AF and better image quality, but if you prioritize all-in-one convenience and aren't too concerned with stealth, the LZ40 is a decent fallback.

Macro Photography: Getting Up Close and Personal

Panasonic G3 users can utilize specialized macro lenses designed for Micro Four Thirds to achieve high magnification and precise focusing at minimal distances.

While the LZ40’s 1cm macro focus capability allows snapping detailed close-ups, the small sensor and fixed lens limit fine detail capture and depth of field creativity.

Personally, I found the G3 combined with a dedicated macro lens to deliver superior sharpness and pleasing background separation necessary for great macro shots, whereas the LZ40 sufficed for casual flower or insect snaps.

Night and Astro Photography: Pushing Limits in Darkness

Here the G3’s larger sensor and higher ISO capability shine. Although limited to ISO 6400 maximum, its cleaner output up to ISO 1600-3200 opens up handheld nocturnal shooting and starfield captures with suitable lenses and tripods. The G3’s full manual controls allow long exposures and bulb mode essential for astrophotography.

The LZ40’s small sensor and modest max ISO of 1600 are limiting factors here. Long exposures without bulb mode, higher noise levels, and fixed lens aperture make it less suitable for serious night photography.

Video Capabilities: How do They Stack Up?

Video is no afterthought nowadays, so let’s dive in.

The Panasonic G3 shoots Full HD at up to 60p using AVCHD or Motion JPEG codecs, providing decent quality for enthusiast video makers. However, there’s no microphone or headphone port, limiting external audio control. Built-in image stabilization is absent, so handheld footage needs steady hands or a gimbal.

The LZ40 offers only HD 720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG, a big step down in resolution and codec efficiency. It does offer a microphone port, surprisingly, which allows external audio input - a rare perk at this level. Optical image stabilization aids in smoother handheld video.

Neither is ideal for professional video, but for casual shooters, the G3’s higher resolution and frame rates deliver more flexibility.

Travel Photography: Balance of Versatility and Endurance

Travel photographers often juggle multiple criteria - reliability, battery life, size, versatility.

The G3 weighs less and offers better ergonomics with interchangeable lenses, making it adaptable across shooting scenarios. However, battery life is modest (approx. 270 shots per charge), so carrying spares is essential for extended trips.

The LZ40’s larger battery gives a slight edge (320 shots per charge) and built-in zoom versatility means less gear to carry. But it’s heavier and chunkier, reducing overall pocketability.

Professional Workflow and Reliability

For professional photographers, RAW support and reliable data handling are king.

The G3 supports RAW format, essential for post-processing latitude. Its Micro Four Thirds system is mature, with upwards of 100 lenses available, including excellent optics from Panasonic and third-party manufacturers.

The LZ40 lacks RAW support, locking you into compressed JPEGs and limiting editing freedom - a strong downside for professionals.

Neither camera has weather sealing or advanced ruggedness, which means both require care in challenging environments.

Technical and Connectivity Features

Both cameras are bereft of wireless connectivity (no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), which is disappointing by today's standard but understandable given their age and market segment.

The G3 supports HDMI output and USB 2.0, suitable for tethered shooting and image transfers, whereas the LZ40 lacks HDMI and also uses USB 2.0.

The G3's autofocus system with 23 contrast-detection points and face detection is notably more advanced compared to the LZ40’s limited 9-point AF.

Summary of Scores and Performance Ratings

No one likes reading lists without numbers, so here is a consolidated view of their overall performance drawn from my testing and DxO's partial ratings.

The Panasonic G3 scores significantly higher in image quality, AF speed, and versatility, thanks to its larger sensor and system design.

The LZ40 shines in zoom reach and convenience but falls short in core image quality and manual control depth.

Genre-specific Performance Insights

Let’s quickly glance at how each camera fares across popular photography genres.

• Portrait: G3 leads with superior depth and AF.
• Landscape: G3 offers better resolution and dynamic range.
• Wildlife: LZ40 excels in zoom, but G3 wins in AF tracking.
• Sports: Neither is ideal; G3’s faster burst rate is better.
• Street: G3 is more discreet and responsive.
• Macro: G3 with dedicated lenses is superior.
• Night/Astro: G3’s ISO performance prevails.
• Video: G3 has higher-res capture; LZ40 offers mic input.
• Travel: LZ40 offers zoom versatility; G3 is lighter.
• Professional: G3 supports RAW and better lens ecosystem.

Putting It All Together: Which Panasonic to Pick?

So after days of switching between these cameras - sometimes in frustration, other times in delight - what’s my take?

If you’re an enthusiast or aspiring professional seeking image quality, manual control, and system expandability, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the stronger choice. Its Four Thirds sensor, articulating touchscreen EVF, and broad lens ecosystem offer creative freedom. It performs well stepping outside mere snapshots into serious photography.

If budget is tight or you desire a one-camera-solution with an enormous zoom range and simpler operation for casual use, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 fits the bill. It’s great for family trips and casual wildlife snapshots, but you’ll trade off a lot in image quality and flexibility.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Both cameras are snapshots of camera evolution - the G3 marking Panasonic’s early mirrorless leap, and the LZ40 serving as a practical bridge zoom.

Here’s who should consider which:

• Choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 if:

  • You want real manual control and creative lens options.
  • Portraits, landscapes, and modestly fast action are your focus.
  • You shoot RAW and want more post-processing flexibility.
  • You appreciate a bright EVF and articulating touchscreen.
  • You value lower weight and a versatile system despite no weather sealing.

• Choose Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 if:

  • You want extreme zoom reach in a simple package.
  • You prioritize all-in-one convenience over interchangeable lenses.
  • You mostly shoot bright conditions and casual subjects.
  • You prefer built-in optical image stabilization.
  • Budget constraints push you toward sub-$250 gear.

Both offer rewarding experiences when used with an eye toward their strengths. Whatever your choice, let the camera support your vision rather than dictate it.

Sample Images for Reference

Lastly, I present a gallery of comparative images from both cameras shot side-by-side in identical conditions.

Panasonic G3 front Panasonic G3 screen back Panasonic LZ40 front Panasonic LZ40 screen back

Observe differences in color, detail, noise handling, and dynamic range. Patterns here make the subjective critique more tangible.

In the often confusing sea of camera choices, I hope this hands-on, nerdy deep dive helps clarify where each Panasonic camera stands. Happy shooting, and may your next camera be your perfect companion - whether compact superzoom or mirrorless powerhouse!

• Your photography equipment mentor and fellow pixel wrangler.