Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7
66 Imaging
52 Features
80 Overall
63


78 Imaging
70 Features
80 Overall
74
Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Key Specs
(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
- Succeeded the Panasonic GH2
- Later Model is Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 50 - 25600
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Sony E Mount
- 474g - 127 x 94 x 48mm
- Launched January 2014
- Replacement is Sony A7 II

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Overview
The following is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic GH3 and Sony A7, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the GH3 (16MP) and A7 (24MP) and the GH3 (Four Thirds) and A7 (Full frame) possess totally different sensor size.

The GH3 was unveiled 16 months earlier than the A7 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).
Before we go through a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the GH3 grades versus the A7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and Sony Alpha A7. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic GH3 Gallery and Sony A7 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Sony A7
GH3 | A7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Tilting | Fully Articulating display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Easy selfies | ||
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A7 over the Panasonic GH3
A7 | GH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | January 2014 | ![]() | September 2012 | Newer by 16 months |
Display resolution | 1230k | ![]() | 614k | Sharper display (+616k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Sony A7
GH3 | A7 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | Very exact focus | ||
Display dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical display size |
Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Physical Comparison
In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH3 has got outer 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) whilst the Sony A7 has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") and a weight of 474 grams (1.04 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic GH3 and Sony A7 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the GH3 versus the A7.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH3 and A7 is 66 and 78 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through technical specs. The picture here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GH3 and A7.
As you have seen, both of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GH3 using its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A7 will provide greater detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged GH3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Sony A7 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 | Sony Alpha A7 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 | Sony Alpha A7 |
Class | Advanced Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
Revealed | 2012-09-17 | 2014-01-22 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | SLR-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine VII FHD | Bionz X |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | Full frame |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 35.8 x 23.9mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 855.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 24 megapixel |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 6000 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 25600 |
Min native ISO | 200 | 50 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 117 |
Cross focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Amount of lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fully Articulated | Tilting |
Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 614k dots | 1,230k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | OLED Monitor with static touch control | Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,744k dots | 2,359k dots |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.67x | 0.71x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 20.0 frames per second | 5.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 12.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | no built-in flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash synchronize | 1/160s | 1/250s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) |
Max 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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 550g (1.21 lb) | 474g (1.04 lb) |
Dimensions | 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") | 127 x 94 x 48mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 1.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 71 | 90 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.7 | 24.8 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 12.4 | 14.2 |
DXO Low light score | 812 | 2248 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 540 pictures | 340 pictures |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NP-FW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) |
Time lapse feature | With downloadable app | |
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo/Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $799 | $798 |