Clicky

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
58
Features
52
Overall
55

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Launched October 2009
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF2
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Previous Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

The following is a in-depth overview of the Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

The GF1 was released 4 years prior to the NEX-3N which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the GF1 matches up against the NEX-3N when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Sony NEX-3N

 GF1 NEX-3N 

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Panasonic GF1

 NEX-3N GF1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013October 2009Newer by 41 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Sony NEX-3N

 GF1 NEX-3N 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution460k460kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GF1 has got physical dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view physical size comparison of the GF1 versus the NEX-3N.

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the GF1 and NEX-3N is 85 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The image below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF1 and NEX-3N.

To sum up, both of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF1 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Sony NEX-3N will offer more detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged GF1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and Viewfinder comparison
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography features
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography features
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
66
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
external flash not possible
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF1
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
64
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
no image stabilization
77
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Sports photography camera
44
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
better than average battery (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not have phase detect AF
54
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great battery power (480 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography features
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography features
59
better than average battery (380 per charge)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
71
great battery power (480 shots)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3N as a Landscape photography camera
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (380 per charge)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
70
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (480 shots)
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have Timelapse function
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF1
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
25
has face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
28
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Panasonic GF1 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Sony NEX-3N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-10-14 2013-02-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 16000
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 4.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385g (0.85 lbs) 269g (0.59 lbs)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 74
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 12.5
DXO Low light score 513 1067
Other
Battery life 380 shots 480 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) -
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $400 $399