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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Revealed December 2013
  • Successor is Panasonic GM5
Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic SZ3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both sold by Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the SZ3 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and SZ3 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The GM1 was revealed 12 months after the SZ3 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the GM1 scores against the SZ3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 GM1 SZ3 
RevealedDecember 2013January 2013More modern by 12 months
Focus manually More precise focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1036k230kClearer screen (+806k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Panasonic GM1

 SZ3 GM1 

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic SZ3

 GM1 SZ3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM1 comes with external dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") and a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Panasonic SZ3 has measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic SZ3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the GM1 vs the SZ3.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GM1 and SZ3 is 93 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GM1 and SZ3.

All in all, the 2 cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor sizes. The GM1 has got the bigger sensor which is going to make getting shallow DOF simpler. The fresher GM1 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography information
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography information
65
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
77
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
includes touch focus
lighter than others in class (204g)
good ISO range (25,600)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography info
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
48
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
no phase detect AF
41
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GM1
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
74
lighter than others in class (204g)
includes touch focus
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
71
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 as a Landscape photography camera
Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
69
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
39
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging information
Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging information
35
screen is touchscreen
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (204 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone jack
31
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone socket
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Panasonic GM1 vs Panasonic SZ3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Panasonic SZ3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-12-19 2013-01-07
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 23
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-250mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Available lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 1,036k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 60 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 4.10 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/50 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 204g (0.45 lb) 126g (0.28 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 660 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 photographs 250 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 shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $750 $150