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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GF2
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic GF1 versus Panasonic SZ3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are manufactured by Panasonic. There exists a crucial gap between the image resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") provide different sensor measurements.

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The GF1 was launched 4 years earlier than the SZ3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the GF1 matches up versus the SZ3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 GF1 SZ3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic GF1

 SZ3 GF1 
ReleasedJanuary 2013October 2009Fresher by 39 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic SZ3

 GF1 SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF1 features exterior measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF1 versus Panasonic SZ3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the GF1 vs the SZ3.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GF1 and SZ3 is 85 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is hard to picture the gap between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The visual here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GF1 and SZ3.

To sum up, the two cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GF1 featuring a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF less difficult and the Panasonic SZ3 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older GF1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
60
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
30
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF1
Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
64
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
44
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
great battery power (380 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
59
great battery power (380 per charge)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
71
lighter than others in class (126g)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography features
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography features
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
great battery power (380 shots)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
does not have Timelapse function
39
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging factors
25
includes face detection focus
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone jack
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic jack
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-10-14 2013-01-07
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 3200 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 5cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 4.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
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 385 gr (0.85 lb) 126 gr (0.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 250 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Price at release $400 $150