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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
29
Overall
33

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF5
Panasonic S2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic S2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both are manufactured by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the S2 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and S2 (1/2.3") feature different sensor measurements.

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The GF3 was manufactured 5 months earlier than the S2 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S2 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the GF3 scores against the S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic S2

 GF3 S2 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Panasonic GF3

 S2 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic S2

 GF3 S2 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2012Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF3 has physical 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) while the Panasonic S2 has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") and a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic S2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the GF3 and the S2.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and S2 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing simply by looking at specs. The photograph underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and S2.

All in all, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GF3 because of its bigger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic S2 will resolve greater detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
Portrait photography with Panasonic S2
55
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
33
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography factors
Panasonic S2 Street photography factors
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (112g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
Sports photography with Panasonic S2
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good battery life (280 shots)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S2 Travel photography factors
58
includes touch focus
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
70
good battery life (280 CIPA)
lighter than competitors (112 grams)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography features
Panasonic S2 Landscape photography features
55
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
41
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
good battery life (280 per charge)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging factors
Panasonic S2 Vlogging factors
32
touch screen
has face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
32
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
lighter than competitors (112g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-08-11 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
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 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-6.5
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/1600s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video 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 264g (0.58 lbs) 112g (0.25 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8")
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 pictures 280 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $360 $109