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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Sony Alpha NEX-3 front
Portability
89
Imaging
53
Features
55
Overall
53

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH1
  • Updated by Panasonic GH3
Sony NEX-3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Later Model is Sony NEX-C3
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Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by companies Panasonic and Sony. The image resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is relatively similar but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The GH2 was brought out 10 months later than the NEX-3 and they are both of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony NEX-3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the GH2 matches up against the NEX-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Sony NEX-3

 GH2 NEX-3 
ReleasedMarch 2011June 2010Fresher by 10 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic GH2

 NEX-3 GH2 
Screen resolution920k460kCrisper screen (+460k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Sony NEX-3

 GH2 NEX-3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH2 has outer measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has sizing of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the GH2 compared to the NEX-3.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH2 and NEX-3 is 70 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the GH2 and NEX-3.

As you can see, each of the cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GH2 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic GH2 will offer extra detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher GH2 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography information
Sony NEX-3 Portrait photography information
70
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
71
focusing manually
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography features
Sony NEX-3 Street photography features
68
screen articulates
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
76
screen tilts
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony NEX-3 as a Sports photography camera
46
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
51
good resolution (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Travel photography info
Sony NEX-3 Travel photography info
62
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery pack (330 shots)
59
good resolution (14 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH2
Landscape photography with Sony NEX-3
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery pack (330 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
67
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
screen is a good size (3")
good resolution (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Vlogging advice
Sony NEX-3 Vlogging advice
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
does not have image stabilization
27
comes with face detection autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH2 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Sony NEX-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Sony Alpha NEX-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Sony
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Class Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-03-23 2010-06-07
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by 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 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Sony E
Number of lenses 107 121
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Xtra Fine LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.60 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
Max flash sync 1/160 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442 grams (0.97 pounds) 297 grams (0.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 60 68
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 22.1
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 12.0
DXO Low light rating 655 830
Other
Battery life 330 images 330 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - NPFW50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images))
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $1,000 $0