Clicky

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH4
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH5 II
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Launched January 2011
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

In this write-up, we will be matching up the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic S3, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and both of them are sold by Panasonic. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the GH5 (20MP) and S3 (14MP) and the GH5 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming

The GH5 was announced 6 years later than the S3 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise overview of how the GH5 scores versus the S3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Panasonic S3

 GH5 S3 
LaunchedJanuary 2017January 2011Fresher by 74 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1620k230kSharper screen (+1390k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic GH5

 S3 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic S3

 GH5 S3 

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH5 features exterior dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") and a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs) whilst the Panasonic S3 has proportions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic S3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the GH5 vs the S3.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GH5 and S3 is 59 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing purely by reading specs. The graphic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH5 and S3.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GH5 with its bigger sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic GH5 will deliver greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The younger GH5 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 as a Portrait photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
76
focusing manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
28
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography information
Panasonic S3 Street photography information
74
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
great high ISO (25,600)
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
max fps very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Travel photography factors
Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
68
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
boasts touch focus
good megapixels (20MP)
display is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (410 shots)
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH5
Landscape photography with Panasonic S3
75
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
38
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH5
Vlogging with Panasonic S3
75
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Panasonic GH5 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Make Panasonic Panasonic
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2017-01-04 2011-01-05
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Venus Engine IV
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 225 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3.2" 2.7"
Display resolution 1,620 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 8s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/1600s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 725 gr (1.60 lb) 117 gr (0.26 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 shots 250 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Dual 1
Retail pricing $1,298 $110