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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G5
Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Overview

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are built by Panasonic. The image resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the SZ8 (16MP) is very well matched but the G3 (Four Thirds) and SZ8 (1/2.3") provide different sensor size.

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The G3 was brought out 3 years before the SZ8 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short summation of how the G3 grades vs the SZ8 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Panasonic SZ8

 G3 SZ8 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Panasonic G3

 SZ8 G3 
ReleasedJanuary 2014July 2011Fresher by 30 months

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic SZ8

 G3 SZ8 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G3 has exterior measurements 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 SZ8 has proportions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the G3 against the SZ8.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and SZ8 is 83 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing merely by checking a spec sheet. The graphic underneath might offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the G3 and SZ8.

As you can see, both the cameras provide the same megapixels but different sensor sizing. The G3 has the larger sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF simpler. The older G3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G3
Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
70
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
35
MP count decent (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
75
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography advice
46
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (270 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G3
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
70
features focus by touch
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
doesn't have Time Lapse function
bad battery life (270 per charge)
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography info
62
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (270 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery (200 shots)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G3
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
70
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
32
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic SZ8 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Panasonic SZ8
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-07-11 2014-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-288mm (12.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-6.3
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 8s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 5.20 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 336g (0.74 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 667 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 images 200 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $500 $275