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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GF2
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

The following is a thorough comparison of the Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GF1 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is pretty close but the GF1 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor size.

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The GF1 was released 6 months after the ZS3 and they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the GF1 grades against the ZS3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Panasonic ZS3

 GF1 ZS3 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic GF1

 ZS3 GF1 

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS3

 GF1 ZS3 
LaunchedOctober 2009May 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF1 enjoys outside 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has proportions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the GF1 and the ZS3.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF1 and ZS3 is 85 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GF1 and ZS3.

As you have seen, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GF1 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field less difficult and the Panasonic GF1 will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography factors
60
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
19
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
64
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
44
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
good battery life (380 shots)
low fps (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
no phase detect autofocus
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Travel photography camera
59
good battery life (380 CIPA)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than others (229 grams)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (380 shots)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse recording
35
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging features
Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging features
25
comes with face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external mic socket
30
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic GF1 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also called as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2009-10-14 2009-05-14
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 measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Maximum native ISO 3200 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite AVCHD Lite
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 gr (0.85 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 shots -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $400 $200