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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 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
  • Launched August 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF5
Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact and both are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the SZ7 (14MP) is very similar but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and SZ7 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The GF3 was brought out 5 months prior to the SZ7 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the GF3 matches up vs the SZ7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic SZ7

 GF3 SZ7 
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Panasonic GF3

 SZ7 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic SZ7

 GF3 SZ7 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Display resolution460k460kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GF3 features external dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic SZ7 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs).

See the Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the GF3 against the SZ7.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and SZ7 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading specifications. The visual underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and SZ7.

Plainly, the 2 cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF3 featuring a larger sensor is going to make achieving bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic SZ7 will deliver extra detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography highlights
55
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography information
Panasonic SZ7 Street photography information
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
comes with touch focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (133g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
Sports photography with Panasonic SZ7
38
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
bad battery pack (300 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ7
58
comes with touch focus
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
70
lighter than others (133g)
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography factors
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (300 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
42
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ7
32
touch screen
offers face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
no mic support
35
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic SZ7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic SZ7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2011-08-11 2012-01-09
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus distance - 4cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color 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 rate 3.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264 grams (0.58 lb) 133 grams (0.29 lb)
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 220 images
Battery style 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
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $360 $199