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Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Sony Alpha A3000 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
54
Overall
59

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 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
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF2
Sony A3000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 411g - 128 x 91 x 85mm
  • Revealed August 2013
  • Renewed by Sony a3500
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Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 Overview

On this page, we will be matching up the Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizable gap among the sensor resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and A3000 (20MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and A3000 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The GF1 was launched 4 years prior to the A3000 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A3000 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going into a complete comparison, here is a short introduction of how the GF1 matches up vs the A3000 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Sony A3000

 GF1 A3000 
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A3000 over the Panasonic GF1

 A3000 GF1 
RevealedAugust 2013October 2009Newer by 47 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Sony A3000

 GF1 A3000 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF1 comes with exterior measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Sony A3000 has dimensions of 128mm x 91mm x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3") having a weight of 411 grams (0.91 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the GF1 vs the A3000.

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF1 and A3000 is 85 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to imagine the difference in sensor dimensions just by seeing a spec sheet. The picture here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the GF1 and A3000.

As you can see, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GF1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Sony A3000 will produce greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged GF1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
Portrait photography with Sony A3000
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
77
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography details
Sony A3000 Street photography details
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
57
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition (411g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography details
Sony A3000 Sports photography details
44
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
better than average battery pack (380 CIPA)
low frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
60
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
great battery life (470 shots)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography information
Sony A3000 Travel photography information
59
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
great battery life (470 per charge)
decent megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (411 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF1
Landscape photography with Sony A3000
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (380 shots)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony E mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (470 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A3000 as a Vlogging camera
25
has face detect focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
26
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone socket
more heavy than competition (411 grams)
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Panasonic GF1 vs Sony A3000 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Sony A3000
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Sony Alpha A3000
General Information
Company Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha A3000
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-10-14 2013-08-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD BIONZ image
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5456 x 3632
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.47x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO200 / 4m at ISO100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync.
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite AVCHD, H.264, MP4
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 grams (0.85 lb) 411 grams (0.91 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 128 x 91 x 85mm (5.0" x 3.6" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 78
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 12.8
DXO Low light score 513 1068
Other
Battery life 380 shots 470 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2-sec. or 10-sec. delay)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC -
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $400 $398