Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3
87 Imaging
51 Features
54 Overall
52


94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
- Introduced February 2012
- Refreshed by Panasonic GX7
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Announced January 2009

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GX1 versus Sony G3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the GX1 (16MP) and G3 (10MP) and the GX1 (Four Thirds) and G3 (1/2.3") have different sensor size.

The GX1 was revealed 3 years later than the G3 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony G3 being a Compact camera.
Before delving into a in-depth comparison, here is a short view of how the GX1 matches up against the G3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic GX1 Gallery and Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Sony G3
GX1 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | February 2012 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 38 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic GX1
G3 | GX1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Sony G3
GX1 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More exact focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither features selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GX1 enjoys exterior measurements of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") with a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) while the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") along with a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic GX1 versus Sony G3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the GX1 and the G3.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GX1 and G3 is 87 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is tough to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The visual underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the GX1 and G3.
As you can plainly see, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GX1 with its bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field easier and the Panasonic GX1 will resolve greater detail because of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent GX1 should have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2012-02-14 | 2009-01-08 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine FHD | - |
Sensor type | CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mounting type | Micro Four Thirds | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | - | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | - | f/3.5-10.0 |
Total lenses | 107 | - |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3.5 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Display technology | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60s | 1s |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000s | 1/1000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0 frames per second | 2.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 7.60 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160s | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 640x480 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Mic port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
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 | 318g (0.70 lb) | 185g (0.41 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 55 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | 20.8 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.6 | not tested |
DXO Low light score | 703 | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 pictures | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $228 | $200 |