Clicky

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Renewed by Panasonic GX7
Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Overview

The following is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic GX1 versus Panasonic S3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact and they are both offered by Panasonic. The image resolution of the GX1 (16MP) and the S3 (14MP) is very comparable but the GX1 (Four Thirds) and S3 (1/2.3") boast different sensor dimensions.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The GX1 was revealed 14 months after the S3 making them a generation away from each other. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a brief summary of how the GX1 grades against the S3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Panasonic S3

 GX1 S3 
LaunchedFebruary 2012January 2011Newer by 14 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Panasonic GX1

 S3 GX1 

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Panasonic S3

 GX1 S3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GX1 comes with outside dimensions of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) while the Panasonic S3 has specifications of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GX1 versus Panasonic S3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the GX1 and the S3.

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GX1 and S3 is 87 and 96 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out specs. The picture underneath will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GX1 and S3.

All in all, the two cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GX1 having a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh easier and the Panasonic GX1 will provide extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The younger GX1 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GX1
Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
fixed screen
no image stabilization
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Sports photography advice
Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
47
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (300 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Travel photography advice
Panasonic S3 Travel photography advice
65
boasts touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
68
lighter than others in class (117g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography info
Panasonic S3 Landscape photography info
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
terrible battery power (300 shots)
missing Time Lapse mode
38
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Vlogging advice
Panasonic S3 Vlogging advice
32
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing external mic jack
31
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic support
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Panasonic GX1 vs Panasonic S3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Panasonic S3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Panasonic
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-02-14 2011-01-05
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD 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 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 12800 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/3.1-5.6
Macro focusing distance - 5cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 8 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.60 m 3.30 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction
Hot shoe
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
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 318 grams (0.70 lb) 117 grams (0.26 lb)
Physical dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 703 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 250 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $228 $110