Clicky

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 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
  • Revealed September 2012
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH2
  • New Model is Panasonic GH4
Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic GH3 versus Panasonic ZR3, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the ZR3 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and ZR3 (1/2.3") enjoy different sensor dimensions.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The GH3 was unveiled 2 years after the ZR3 which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the GH3 matches up versus the ZR3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Panasonic ZR3

 GH3 ZR3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012January 2010More modern by 33 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution614k230kClearer screen (+384k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Panasonic GH3

 ZR3 GH3 

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic ZR3

 GH3 ZR3 

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH3 has outer measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") having a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Panasonic ZR3 has sizing of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GH3 versus Panasonic ZR3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the GH3 against the ZR3.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH3 and ZR3 is 66 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes simply by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the GH3 and ZR3.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GH3 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF easier and the Panasonic GH3 will give you greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The younger GH3 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
28
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH3
Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
65
screen articulates
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (550g)
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
63
high max frames per second (20.0 fps)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
great battery life (540 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
36
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
features tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
71
great battery life (540 per charge)
weather proof
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (550 grams)
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Landscape photography highlights
Panasonic ZR3 Landscape photography highlights
71
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
great battery life (540 shots)
lack of image stabilization
37
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse mode
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Vlogging info
Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging info
65
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic jack
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (550 grams)
29
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone jack
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZR3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic ZR3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
General Information
Company Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3
Also referred to as - Lumix DMC-ZX3
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2012-09-17 2010-01-26
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine VII FHD Venus Engine HD II
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 25-200mm (8.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-5.9
Macro focus range - 3cm
Total lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 614k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech OLED Monitor with static touch control -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,744k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1300 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 20.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 12.00 m 5.30 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 AVCHD Lite
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 550 grams (1.21 lbs) 159 grams (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $799 $280