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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20 front
Portability
71
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Released August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF5
Panasonic LZ20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-525mm (F3.1-5.8) lens
  • 499g - 120 x 76 x 80mm
  • Launched July 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic LZ30
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic LZ20, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are created by Panasonic. There is a large difference between the image resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and LZ20 (16MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and LZ20 (1/2.3") use totally different sensor size.

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The GF3 was introduced 11 months earlier than the LZ20 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ20 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the GF3 grades versus the LZ20 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic LZ20

 GF3 LZ20 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ20 over the Panasonic GF3

 LZ20 GF3 
LaunchedJuly 2012August 2011Fresher by 11 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic LZ20

 GF3 LZ20 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GF3 provides outside dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic LZ20 has specifications of 120mm x 76mm x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic LZ20 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the GF3 vs the LZ20.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and LZ20 is 90 and 71 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by going over specs. The graphic below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and LZ20.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GF3 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic LZ20 will offer you greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older GF3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic LZ20 Portrait photography info
55
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
36
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Street photography factors
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
supports touch focus
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition in class (499 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography information
Panasonic LZ20 Sports photography information
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
amazing zoom range (25-525mm 21.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
good battery life (380 shots)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic LZ20 Travel photography factors
58
supports touch focus
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
terrible battery (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
58
good battery life (380 per charge)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (525mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
heavier than competition in class (499g)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ20
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (300 shots)
missing Timelapse function
45
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good battery life (380 per charge)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic LZ20 as a Vlogging camera
32
built-in touchscreen
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
missing external microphone jack
25
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic support
heavier than competition in class (499g)
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic LZ20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic LZ20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ20
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2011-08-11 2012-07-18
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 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 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-525mm (21.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.8
Macro focusing distance - 2cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Screen LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 15s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 6.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 720p ( 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 264 grams (0.58 lb) 499 grams (1.10 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 120 x 76 x 80mm (4.7" x 3.0" x 3.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light rating 459 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 380 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack 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
Cost at release $360 $250