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Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Samsung NX500 front
Portability
87
Imaging
68
Features
80
Overall
72

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
Samsung NX500
(Full Review)
  • 28MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 51200)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Samsung NX Mount
  • 287g - 120 x 64 x 43mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Superseded the Samsung NX300
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Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Overview

Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic GF3 versus Samsung NX500, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Samsung. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and NX500 (28MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and NX500 (APS-C) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The GF3 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the NX500 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the GF3 matches up vs the NX500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Samsung NX500

 GF3 NX500 

Reasons to pick Samsung NX500 over the Panasonic GF3

 NX500 GF3 
LaunchedFebruary 2015August 2011More modern by 42 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1036k460kCrisper display (+576k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Samsung NX500

 GF3 NX500 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF3 enjoys outer dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Samsung NX500 has measurements of 120mm x 64mm x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7") with a weight of 287 grams (0.63 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF3 versus Samsung NX500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the GF3 and the NX500.

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and NX500 is 90 and 87 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking specs. The image here might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and NX500.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GF3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Samsung NX500 will resolve more detail due to its extra 16 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged GF3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography info
Samsung NX500 Portrait photography info
55
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
80
you can focus manually
amazing MP (28MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography factors
Samsung NX500 Street photography factors
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has touch to focus
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
81
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
offers touch focus
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography highlights
Samsung NX500 Sports photography highlights
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
75
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
amazing MP (28 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography highlights
Samsung NX500 Travel photography highlights
58
has touch to focus
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
78
supports bluetooth
offers touch focus
amazing MP (28 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
Landscape photography with Samsung NX500
55
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Samsung NX mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
amazing MP (28MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging highlights
Samsung NX500 Vlogging highlights
32
touch screen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
34
touchscreen functionality
includes face detect autofocus
great video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
lack of microphone port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Samsung NX500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Samsung NX500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Samsung NX500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Samsung
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Samsung NX500
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-08-11 2015-02-06
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD DRIMe 5
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 28 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6480 x 4320
Highest native ISO 6400 25600
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 209
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Samsung NX
Total lenses 107 32
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 1,036k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 9.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Smart flash, auto, auto w/redeye reduction, fill flash, fill w/redeye reduction, 1st-curtain, 2nd-curtain, off
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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) 3840 x 2160 (30p), 4096 x 2160 (24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720, 640 x 480
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 4096x2160
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG H.265
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 lb) 287 gr (0.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 120 x 64 x 43mm (4.7" x 2.5" x 1.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 50 87
DXO Color Depth rating 20.6 24.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 13.9
DXO Low light rating 459 1379
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 370 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - BP1130
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 - 30 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $360 $800