Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3
90 Imaging
47 Features
48 Overall
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91 Imaging
56 Features
57 Overall
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Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Key Specs
(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
- Announced August 2011
- Superseded the Panasonic GF2
- Renewed by Panasonic GF5
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 225g - 110 x 60 x 33mm
- Revealed August 2011
- Succeeded the Sony NEX-3
- Replacement is Sony NEX-F3

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Overview
Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic GF3 versus Sony NEX-C3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and NEX-C3 (16MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and NEX-C3 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

The GF3 was announced within a month of the NEX-C3 so they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before going right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick summation of how the GF3 grades versus the NEX-C3 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 and Sony Alpha NEX-C3. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic GF3 Gallery and Sony NEX-C3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Sony NEX-C3
GF3 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-C3 over the Panasonic GF3
NEX-C3 | GF3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Screen resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Sony NEX-C3
GF3 | NEX-C3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | August 2011 | ![]() | August 2011 | Similar generation |
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial accurate focus | ||
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to carry your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 has external dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Sony NEX-C3 has sizing of 110mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 225 grams (0.50 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic GF3 versus Sony NEX-C3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the GF3 versus the NEX-C3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and NEX-C3 is 90 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Sensor Comparison
Often, its tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual here will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and NEX-C3.
As you can see, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF3 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Sony NEX-C3 will give you extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures way more aggressively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 | Sony Alpha NEX-C3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2011-08-11 | 2011-08-22 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine FHD | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4912 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Number of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Screen size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 920k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Screen technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/4000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 3.0fps | 6.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/160s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
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) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | MPEG-4 |
Mic 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 | 264g (0.58 lb) | 225g (0.50 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") | 110 x 60 x 33mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | 50 | 73 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.6 | 22.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.1 | 12.2 |
DXO Low light rating | 459 | 1083 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 photos | 400 photos |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec 3 or 5 images) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $360 | $343 |