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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Released March 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH1
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH3
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic S3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor size.

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The GH2 was introduced 3 months later than the S3 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the GH2 matches up vs the S3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Panasonic S3

 GH2 S3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic GH2

 S3 GH2 

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic S3

 GH2 S3 
AnnouncedMarch 2011January 2011Same generation

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GH2 features exterior dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) and the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic S3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the GH2 and the S3.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GH2 and S3 is 70 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by going through specifications. The photograph underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH2 and S3.

Plainly, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GH2 having a bigger sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field simpler and the Panasonic GH2 will show greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH2
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
70
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH2
Street photography with Panasonic S3
68
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH2
Sports photography with Panasonic S3
46
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery life (330 CIPA)
lack of phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH2
Travel photography with Panasonic S3
62
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
missing Timelapse mode
low battery life (330 CIPA)
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
60
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery life (330 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
38
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Vlogging features
Panasonic S3 Vlogging features
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone port
no image stabilization
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic GH2 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-03-23 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 15.60 m 3.30 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 442 grams (0.97 pounds) 117 grams (0.26 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 60 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 655 not tested
Other
Battery life 330 images 250 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $1,000 $110