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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Revealed February 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF3
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Panasonic. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the GF2 (12MP) and SZ3 (16MP) and the GF2 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF2 was unveiled 22 months before the SZ3 making them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving right into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the GF2 grades against the SZ3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Panasonic SZ3

 GF2 SZ3 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic GF2

 SZ3 GF2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013February 2011Fresher by 22 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic SZ3

 GF2 SZ3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF2 features external dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ3 has sizing of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 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 utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view dimensions comparison of the GF2 against the SZ3.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF2 and SZ3 is 88 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reading technical specs. The graphic here may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF2 and SZ3.

As you have seen, both of these cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GF2 having a larger sensor will make achieving bokeh easier and the Panasonic SZ3 will offer you extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older GF2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography info
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
30
good resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Street photography factors
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
65
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Sports photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography highlights
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than competition (126g)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
39
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging factors
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging factors
32
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic socket
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Panasonic GF2 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-02-24 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor 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 -
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
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 distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 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 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310 gr (0.68 pounds) 126 gr (0.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 506 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 250 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $330 $150