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Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Launched September 2012
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GH2
  • New Model is Panasonic GH4
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Released January 2015
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
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Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic GH3 versus Panasonic ZS50, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom and both are manufactured by Panasonic. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the GH3 (16MP) and ZS50 (12MP) and the GH3 (Four Thirds) and ZS50 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

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The GH3 was announced 3 years before the ZS50 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the GH3 matches up versus the ZS50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Panasonic ZS50

 GH3 ZS50 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Panasonic GH3

 ZS50 GH3 
ReleasedJanuary 2015September 2012More recent by 28 months
Display resolution1040k614kSharper display (+426k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic ZS50

 GH3 ZS50 
Manually focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display dimensions

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH3 features physical measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS50 has measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH3 versus Panasonic ZS50 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the GH3 against the ZS50.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GH3 and ZS50 is 66 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The graphic below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the GH3 and ZS50.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GH3 having a larger sensor is going to make shooting bokeh easier and the Panasonic GH3 will offer extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older GH3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography information
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography information
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
42
manual focus
includes face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography advice
65
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides touch focus
environment proofing
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (550 grams)
68
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (243 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Sports photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography advice
63
high fps (20.0 fps)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH3
Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
71
better than average battery pack (540 shots)
environment proofing
provides touch focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than average in class (550g)
66
lighter than competitors (243g)
flash built-in
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
low MP (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography factors
71
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
no image stabilization
51
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Vlogging details
Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging details
65
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (550g)
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic support
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Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Panasonic ZS50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Otherwise known as - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2012-09-17 2015-01-06
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 614k dots 1,040k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology OLED Monitor with static touch control -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 1,744k dots 1,166k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.46x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 20.0fps 10.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 6.40 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 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 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550 gr (1.21 lbs) 243 gr (0.54 lbs)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 71 44
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 11.2
DXO Low light rating 812 138
Other
Battery life 540 photographs 300 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $799 $350