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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 front
Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
44
Overall
38

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF5
Panasonic LX5
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
  • 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
  • Released December 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic LX3
  • Replacement is Panasonic LX7
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic LX5, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the LX5 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and LX5 (1/1.63") feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was announced 4 months earlier than the LX5 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LX5 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short introduction of how the GF3 matches up versus the LX5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic LX5

 GF3 LX5 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Panasonic GF3

 LX5 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic LX5

 GF3 LX5 
ReleasedAugust 2011December 2011Similar generation
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF3 offers outside dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic LX5 has dimensions of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") with a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic LX5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the GF3 versus the LX5.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and LX5 is 90 and 88 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at specs. The image here might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF3 and LX5.

All in all, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GF3 using its bigger sensor will make achieving bokeh simpler and the Panasonic GF3 will give you more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic LX5 Portrait photography highlights
55
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
41
focusing manually
supports RAW files
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography features
Panasonic LX5 Street photography features
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus via touch
fixed screen
no image stabilization
59
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
more heavy than competitors (271g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LX5 Sports photography factors
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
Travel photography with Panasonic LX5
58
boasts focus via touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
bad battery life (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
59
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (271g)
low megapixels (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic LX5 Landscape photography features
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
52
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/1.63")
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging information
Panasonic LX5 Vlogging information
32
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone support
29
decently wide (24mm)
fast max aperture (f2.0)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
more heavy than competitors (271 grams)
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LX5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic LX5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-08-11 2011-12-15
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine FHD
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.63"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 8.07 x 5.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 44.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-90mm (3.8x)
Max aperture - f/2.0-3.3
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 4.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Max 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
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 7.20 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
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 264g (0.58 pounds) 271g (0.60 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 50 41
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 19.6
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 10.8
DXO Low light score 459 132
Other
Battery life 300 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $360 $294