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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are designed by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the ZS3 (10MP) is relatively close but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and ZS3 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The GF3 was brought out 2 years after the ZS3 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the GF3 matches up against the ZS3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Panasonic ZS3

 GF3 ZS3 
RevealedAugust 2011May 2009Newer by 28 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Panasonic GF3

 ZS3 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZS3

 GF3 ZS3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Screen resolution460k460kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 enjoys 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) whilst the Panasonic ZS3 has sizing of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the GF3 and the ZS3.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and ZS3 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions just by looking through specs. The picture underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and ZS3.

All in all, the 2 cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF3 because of its bigger sensor will make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic GF3 will result in more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer GF3 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography details
Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography details
55
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
19
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
includes touch focus
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS3
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
24
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography factors
58
includes touch focus
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse recording
not so great battery power (300 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
63
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography factors
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
35
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
manual mode not possible
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Vlogging camera
Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
32
touchscreen capability
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have microphone port
30
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic ZS3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Panasonic ZS3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-TZ7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2011-08-11 2009-05-14
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 surface area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 10 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3648 x 2736
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-300mm (12.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-4.9
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 2.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 5.30 m (Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 264 gr (0.58 pounds) 229 gr (0.50 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $360 $200