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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A330 front
Portability
67
Imaging
50
Features
50
Overall
50

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 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
  • Released August 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF5
Sony A330
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 529g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A300
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the A330 (10MP) is pretty well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and A330 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The GF3 was launched 2 years later than the A330 and that is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A330 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief overview of how the GF3 matches up against the A330 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Sony A330

 GF3 A330 
IntroducedAugust 2011May 2009Fresher by 28 months
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Panasonic GF3

 A330 GF3 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Sony A330

 GF3 A330 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF3 comes with physical 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) while the Sony A330 has proportions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 529 grams (1.17 lbs).

See the Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the GF3 versus the A330.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and A330 is 90 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor sizing only by looking at technical specs. The photograph below should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GF3 and A330.

As you have seen, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GF3 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Panasonic GF3 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The more modern GF3 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography advice
Sony A330 Portrait photography advice
55
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
62
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
low resolution (10MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography factors
Sony A330 Street photography factors
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes focus via touch
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
75
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography features
Sony A330 Sports photography features
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low fps (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
50
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
bad battery pack (230 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography highlights
Sony A330 Travel photography highlights
58
includes focus via touch
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (300 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
44
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A330 as a Landscape photography camera
55
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery pack (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
54
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution (10MP)
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging info
Sony A330 Vlogging info
32
touchscreen enabled
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Sony A330
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Sony Alpha DSLR-A330
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-08-11 2009-05-18
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 107 143
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.49x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 10.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
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 grams (0.58 pounds) 529 grams (1.17 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 50 64
DXO Color Depth rating 20.6 22.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 11.5
DXO Low light rating 459 535
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 230 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $360 $545