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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2011
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Following is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic S3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both created by Panasonic. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the S3 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") boast different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was announced 8 months after the S3 so they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before going right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple view of how the GF3 scores against the S3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic S3

 GF3 S3 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2011More modern by 8 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic GF3

 S3 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic S3

 GF3 S3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF3 provides exterior dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic S3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at that moment. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the GF3 versus the S3.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and S3 is 90 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The picture here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and S3.

As you can tell, the two cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GF3 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Panasonic S3 will give greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The newer GF3 should have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography info
Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
55
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography factors
Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
supports touch focus
fixed screen
no image stabilization
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
58
supports touch focus
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (300 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
68
lighter than competitors (117g)
decent megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography info
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse function
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging info
Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
32
touchscreen functionality
supports face detection autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
lack of external mic jack
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-11 2011-01-05
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine IV
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 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 8 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1600 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264 gr (0.58 lbs) 117 gr (0.26 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 459 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 250 images
Battery form 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
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $360 $110