Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5
90 Imaging
48 Features
48 Overall
48


80 Imaging
55 Features
50 Overall
53
Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Key Specs
(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
- Introduced August 2011
- Replaced the Panasonic GF2
- Successor is Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 3200
- 1280 x 720 video
- Samsung NX Mount
- 499g - 123 x 87 x 40mm
- Introduced June 2010

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Overview
Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic GF3 and Samsung NX5, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Samsung. The image resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the NX5 (15MP) is pretty similar but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and NX5 (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

The GF3 was brought out 15 months later than the NX5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Samsung NX5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.
Before going through a full comparison, below is a quick overview of how the GF3 scores vs the NX5 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 and Samsung NX5. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF3 Gallery and Samsung NX5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Samsung NX5
GF3 | NX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 15 months |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Samsung NX5 over the Panasonic GF3
NX5 | GF3 |
---|
Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Samsung NX5
GF3 | NX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen measurement |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen |
Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Physical Comparison
In case you're looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 enjoys outside 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 Samsung NX5 has sizing of 123mm x 87mm x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") having a weight of 499 grams (1.10 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic GF3 and Samsung NX5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the GF3 versus the NX5.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and NX5 is 90 and 80 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Sensor Comparison
Generally, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The graphic below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GF3 and NX5.
Plainly, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Samsung NX5 will offer extra detail having its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger GF3 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | Samsung NX5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Samsung |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | Samsung NX5 |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Introduced | 2011-08-11 | 2010-06-01 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine FHD | DRIM Engine |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 15 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 15 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Samsung NX |
Total lenses | 107 | 32 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | Active Matrix OLED screen |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Electronic |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.57x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0 frames/s | 3.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 11.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Fill-in, 1st/2nd Curtain, Smart Flash, Manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Microphone 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 | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 264 gr (0.58 pounds) | 499 gr (1.10 pounds) |
Dimensions | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 123 x 87 x 40mm (4.8" x 3.4" x 1.6") |
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 | 400 photographs |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | BP1130 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 sec to 30 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at launch | $360 | $499 |