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Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3

Portability
87
Imaging
51
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(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
Sony G3
(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
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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.

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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.

Photography Glossary

				

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Sony G3

 GX1 G3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2012January 2009Fresher by 38 months

Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic GX1

 G3 GX1 
Screen size3.5"3"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Sony G3

 GX1 G3 
Manually focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 size comparison

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

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography advice
Sony G3 Portrait photography advice
70
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
26
has manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Street photography highlights
Sony G3 Street photography highlights
69
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features focus via touch
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GX1
Sports photography with Sony G3
46
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
23
built in image stabilization (Optical)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,000 seconds)
max fps low (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX1
Travel photography with Sony G3
65
features focus via touch
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
50
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony G3 as a Landscape photography camera
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery pack (300 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse mode
36
has manual focus
bigger than average screen (3.5")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GX1
Vlogging with Sony G3
32
screen is touchscreen
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic jack
27
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic GX1 vs Sony G3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Sony G3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Sony 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