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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZR3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both designed by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") offer different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was launched 19 months after the ZR3 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before delving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the GF3 grades against the ZR3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic ZR3

 GF3 ZR3 
ReleasedAugust 2011January 2010Newer by 19 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic GF3

 ZR3 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZR3

 GF3 ZR3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 features outer measurements 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 ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the GF3 vs the ZR3.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and ZR3 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the GF3 and ZR3.

Clearly, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GF3 due to its bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic ZR3 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more recent GF3 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
55
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
28
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography advice
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
36
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
features tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
58
includes touch to focus
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery pack (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
64
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
37
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
32
built-in touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not have a selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
lack of mic socket
29
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-08-11 2010-01-26
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 60 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/1300 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 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 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD Lite
Mic 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 264g (0.58 pounds) 159g (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $360 $280