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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 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
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF5
Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic ZS15, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are offered by Panasonic. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the ZS15 (12MP) is relatively comparable but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and ZS15 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was released 10 months prior to the ZS15 so they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera.

Before delving right into a full comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the GF3 matches up vs the ZS15 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic ZS15

 GF3 ZS15 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Panasonic GF3

 ZS15 GF3 
AnnouncedJune 2012August 2011More recent by 10 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZS15

 GF3 ZS15 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF3 has got outside dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Panasonic ZS15 has dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GF3 versus Panasonic ZS15 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the GF3 and the ZS15.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and ZS15 is 90 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by checking out technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF3 and ZS15.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with the identical resolution albeit not the same sensor measurements. The GF3 has got the bigger sensor which should make obtaining bokeh less difficult. The older GF3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Portrait photography camera
55
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF3
Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
no moving screen
no image stabilization
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography info
Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography info
58
boasts touch to focus
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (300 CIPA)
resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
61
lighter than competition (208g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (260 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography details
Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography details
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
37
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
bad battery power (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
32
touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
33
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (208g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS15 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZS15
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ25
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2011-08-11 2012-06-29
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 24-384mm (16.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus distance - 3cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest 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) 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264g (0.58 pounds) 208g (0.46 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos 260 photos
Type of battery 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
Price at launch $360 $279