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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 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
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Later Model is Panasonic G5
Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS200
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Large Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the ZS100 (20MP) is relatively comparable but the G3 (Four Thirds) and ZS100 (1") feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The G3 was introduced 5 years prior to the ZS100 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the G3 matches up versus the ZS100 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Panasonic ZS100

 G3 ZS100 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Panasonic G3

 ZS100 G3 
LaunchedJanuary 2016July 2011More modern by 54 months
Screen resolution1040k460kCrisper screen (+580k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Panasonic ZS100

 G3 ZS100 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic G3 has got external dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") with a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS100 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs).

Check the Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the G3 versus the ZS100.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G3 and ZS100 is 83 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and ZS100.

As you can see, both of the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G3 having a bigger sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic ZS100 will show extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a little more aggressively. The more aged G3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography details
70
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
64
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS100
75
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
lack of image stabilization
78
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
lighter than average in class (312g)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography advice
46
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
67
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (1")
includes tracking autofocus
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography details
Panasonic ZS100 Travel photography details
70
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
75
lighter than average in class (312g)
boasts focus via touch
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G3
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS100
62
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (270 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
68
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is nice (1")
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS100
70
selfie friendly screen
touch screen
has face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
35
rather wide (25mm)
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than average in class (312g)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no external microphone port
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Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS100 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Panasonic ZS100
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ100
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Released 2011-07-11 2016-01-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Large Sensor Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS MOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 13.2 x 8.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 116.2mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4592 x 3448 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 125
RAW support
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 49
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximal aperture - f/2.8-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 2.7
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot 1,166 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.46x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/16000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0fps 9.9fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 8.00 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 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)) 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 336 grams (0.74 pounds) 312 grams (0.69 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 56 70
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 12.5
DXO Low light rating 667 559
Other
Battery life 270 pictures 300 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $500 $700