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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
54
Features
55
Overall
54

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2010
  • Successor is Sony NEX-C3
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic GF3 versus Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by rivals Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is very comparable but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The GF3 was released 15 months later than the NEX-3 making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summary of how the GF3 scores versus the NEX-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Sony NEX-3

 GF3 NEX-3 
LaunchedAugust 2011June 2010More recent by 15 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic GF3

 NEX-3 GF3 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution920k460kCrisper display (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Sony NEX-3

 GF3 NEX-3 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF3 provides outside measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Sony NEX-3 has proportions of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF3 versus Sony NEX-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the GF3 and the NEX-3.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and NEX-3 is 90 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GF3 and NEX-3.

Clearly, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GF3 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Sony NEX-3 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The newer GF3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
Portrait photography with Sony NEX-3
55
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Street photography camera
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
76
has a tilting screen
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 CIPA)
lacks phase detect auto focus
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography highlights
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography highlights
58
boasts touch focus
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
59
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Landscape photography camera
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
68
has manual focus
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging features
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging features
32
touchscreen functionality
provides face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
does not have microphone jack
27
includes face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2011-08-11 2010-06-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD Bionz
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 megapixel 14 megapixel
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 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 160 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Available lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 920 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/160s
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 264 gr (0.58 lbs) 297 gr (0.65 lbs)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 50 68
DXO Color Depth rating 20.6 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.1 12.0
DXO Low light rating 459 830
Other
Battery life 300 photos 330 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $360 $0