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Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30 front
Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
32
Overall
36

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Key Specs

Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic GH2
  • New Model is Panasonic GH4
Panasonic LZ30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-875mm (F3.0-5.9) lens
  • 552g - 124 x 84 x 92mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Superseded the Panasonic LZ20
  • Updated by Panasonic LZ40
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Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic LZ30, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both of them are produced by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the LZ30 (16MP) is pretty similar but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and LZ30 (1/2.3") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH3 was unveiled 3 months prior to the LZ30 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic LZ30 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the GH3 grades against the LZ30 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Panasonic LZ30

 GH3 LZ30 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kClearer screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ30 over the Panasonic GH3

 LZ30 GH3 

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic LZ30

 GH3 LZ30 
LaunchedSeptember 2012January 2013Similar age
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH3 has got physical measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Panasonic LZ30 has dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6") and a weight of 552 grams (1.22 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic LZ30 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the GH3 vs the LZ30.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH3 and LZ30 is 66 and 66 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to see the difference between sensor sizing only by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GH3 and LZ30.

As you can see, the two cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The GH3 has the bigger sensor which should make achieving bokeh less difficult.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH3
Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ30
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
32
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Street photography camera
65
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (550 grams)
43
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than others (552 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Sports photography factors
Panasonic LZ30 Sports photography factors
63
high max fps (20.0 frames/s)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
good battery pack (540 shots)
does not have image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
47
incredible zoom range (25-875mm 35.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking focus
good battery life (380 per charge)
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic LZ30 as a Travel photography camera
71
good battery pack (540 per charge)
environment proofing
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competitors in class (550 grams)
56
good battery life (380 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (875mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than others (552 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH3
Landscape photography with Panasonic LZ30
71
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
does not have image stabilization
45
really wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good battery life (380 shots)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Vlogging advice
Panasonic LZ30 Vlogging advice
65
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
offers face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (550 grams)
22
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.0)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone support
more heavy than others (552 grams)
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Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic LZ30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic LZ30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ30
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Announced 2012-09-17 2013-01-07
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 -
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-875mm (35.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.0-5.9
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 614k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech OLED Monitor with static touch control TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,744k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 15 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 4.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 550 gr (1.21 lb) 552 gr (1.22 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 124 x 84 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 3.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light score 812 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 images 380 images
Battery style Battery Pack AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 0r 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at release $799 $230