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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1 front
Portability
96
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Key Specs

Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic G2
  • Replacement is Panasonic G5
Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Overview

Its time to look more in depth at the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic S1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are built by Panasonic. There is a big difference among the resolutions of the G3 (16MP) and S1 (12MP) and the G3 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") provide different sensor dimensions.

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The G3 was brought out 7 months later than the S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summary of how the G3 scores vs the S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Panasonic S1

 G3 S1 
LaunchedJuly 2011January 2011More recent by 7 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Panasonic G3

 S1 G3 

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic S1

 G3 S1 

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G3 features outside dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic S1 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic S1 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the G3 compared to the S1.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and S1 is 83 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and S1.

Clearly, both cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The G3 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic G3 will produce more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop images more aggressively. The more modern G3 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic S1 Portrait photography highlights
70
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
21
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G3
Street photography with Panasonic S1
75
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography details
Panasonic S1 Sports photography details
46
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (270 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography features
Panasonic S1 Travel photography features
70
includes focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
terrible battery power (270 shots)
62
lighter than average in class (117g)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
no Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S1 Landscape photography factors
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (270 shots)
no Time Lapse function
32
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic S1 as a Vlogging camera
70
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have image stabilization
no external mic support
31
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Panasonic S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-07-11 2011-01-05
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 8s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 336 gr (0.74 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 667 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 pictures 240 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $500 $269