Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330
90 Imaging
48 Features
48 Overall
48


67 Imaging
50 Features
50 Overall
50
Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 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
- Released August 2011
- Earlier Model is Panasonic GF2
- Renewed by Panasonic GF5
(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

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.

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.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A330. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF3 Gallery & Sony A330 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Sony A330
GF3 | A330 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2011 | ![]() | May 2009 | Fresher by 28 months |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A330 over the Panasonic GF3
A330 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony A330 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | Sony 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 |