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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3N front
Portability
89
Imaging
57
Features
52
Overall
55

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N 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
  • Revealed August 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
Sony NEX-3N
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 16000
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 269g - 110 x 62 x 35mm
  • Announced February 2013
  • Older Model is Sony NEX-F3
  • Replacement is Sony a5000
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic GF3 and Sony NEX-3N, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and NEX-3N (16MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3N (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GF3 was manufactured 18 months earlier than the NEX-3N making them a generation apart from each other. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple overview of how the GF3 matches up vs the NEX-3N when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Sony NEX-3N

 GF3 NEX-3N 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3N over the Panasonic GF3

 NEX-3N GF3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2013August 2011Fresher by 18 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Sony NEX-3N

 GF3 NEX-3N 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Display resolution460k460kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GF3 has exterior dimensions 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 NEX-3N has specifications of 110mm x 62mm x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4") and a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs).

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

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the GF3 vs the NEX-3N.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N size comparison

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

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by researching technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and NEX-3N.

As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF3 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Sony NEX-3N will render extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older GF3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography details
Sony NEX-3N Portrait photography details
55
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
66
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF3
Street photography with Sony NEX-3N
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
77
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography info
Sony NEX-3N Sports photography info
38
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery (300 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
53
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
max fps very slow (4.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography details
Sony NEX-3N Travel photography details
58
has focus via touch
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low battery (300 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
71
better than average battery pack (480 CIPA)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography highlights
Sony NEX-3N Landscape photography highlights
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
70
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (480 shots)
does not have image stabilization
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
Vlogging with Sony NEX-3N
32
touchscreen capability
offers face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
28
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have microphone socket
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-3N Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Sony NEX-3N
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Sony Alpha NEX-3N
General Information
Brand Panasonic Sony
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Sony Alpha NEX-3N
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-08-11 2013-02-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4912 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 16000
Minimum native ISO 160 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Total lenses 107 121
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 4.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 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) 1920 x 1080
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
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 None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264g (0.58 pounds) 269g (0.59 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 110 x 62 x 35mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 50 74
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 12.5
DXO Low light score 459 1067
Other
Battery life 300 photos 480 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) -
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $360 $399