Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3
88 Imaging
47 Features
50 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
56
Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
- Revealed February 2011
- Replaced the Panasonic GF1
- Replacement is Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Released August 2011
- Previous Model is Sony NEX-3
- New Model is Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic GF2 and Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the GF2 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the GF2 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

The GF2 was brought out 5 months earlier than the NEX-C3 which means that they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a brief summation of how the GF2 scores against the NEX-C3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 & Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF2 Gallery & Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Sony NEX-C3
GF2 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic GF2
NEX-C3 | GF2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Sony NEX-C3
GF2 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | February 2011 | ![]() | August 2011 | Same age |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same display measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | No selfie screen |
Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GF2 has got exterior measurements of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") and a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-C3 has specifications of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic GF2 and Sony NEX-C3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the GF2 compared to the NEX-C3.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GF2 and NEX-C3 is 88 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions just by checking out specifications. The picture underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GF2 and NEX-C3.
To sum up, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF2 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Sony NEX-C3 will produce more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Category | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2011-02-24 | 2011-08-22 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of screen | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 3.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/160 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported 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) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 310 grams (0.68 pounds) | 225 grams (0.50 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 54 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 21.2 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.3 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 506 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | 400 pictures |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $330 | $343 |