Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3
93 Imaging
52 Features
60 Overall
55


89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(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
- Released December 2013
- New Model is Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Released June 2010
- Updated by Sony NEX-C3

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Overview
Lets look closer at the Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the NEX-3 (14MP) is pretty close but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and NEX-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

The GM1 was manufactured 3 years later than the NEX-3 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).
Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the GM1 scores against the NEX-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 and Sony Alpha NEX-3. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic GM1 Gallery and Sony NEX-3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Sony NEX-3
GM1 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | December 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | Fresher by 44 months |
Screen resolution | 1036k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer screen (+116k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony NEX-3 over the Panasonic GM1
NEX-3 | GM1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting screen |
Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Sony NEX-3
GM1 | NEX-3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen dimension | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Identical screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither comes with selfie screen |
Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM1 comes with exterior dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") having a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Sony NEX-3 has measurements of 117mm x 62mm x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 297 grams (0.65 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the GM1 vs the NEX-3.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GM1 and NEX-3 is 93 and 89 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Sensor Comparison
Often, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing merely by researching specs. The visual here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM1 and NEX-3.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The GM1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic GM1 will result in more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more recent GM1 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Released | 2013-12-19 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 14MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Lowest native ISO | 200 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focus | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
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 | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 1,036k dot | 920k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/500 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Highest quiet shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shooting speed | 5.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash range | 4.00 m | 12.00 m |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Highest flash sync | 1/50 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
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 data format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 204 gr (0.45 lb) | 297 gr (0.65 lb) |
Dimensions | 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | 66 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth score | 22.3 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 11.7 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light score | 660 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 230 pictures | 330 pictures |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Retail price | $750 | $0 |