Panasonic GX7 vs Sony NEX-3
81 Imaging
52 Features
75 Overall
61


89 Imaging
53 Features
55 Overall
53
Panasonic GX7 vs Sony NEX-3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Tilting Screen
- ISO 125 - 25600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 402g - 123 x 71 x 55mm
- Announced November 2013
- Earlier Model is Panasonic GX1
- New Model is Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
- 14MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 200 - 12800
- 1280 x 720 video
- Sony E Mount
- 297g - 117 x 62 x 33mm
- Revealed June 2010
- Successor is Sony NEX-C3

Panasonic GX7 vs Sony NEX-3: An Experienced Photographer’s Take on Two Early Mirrorless Contenders
When you sift through the archives of mirrorless camera history, a few models stand out as quietly influential - the kind of cameras that helped shape the mirrorless revolution before it became mainstream. Two such models worth revisiting, especially for photography enthusiasts considering budget-friendly options or simply curious about the evolution of mirrorless tech, are the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 and the Sony Alpha NEX-3.
Announced in late 2013 and mid-2010 respectively, these cameras serve very different market positions: the longevity-endowed, advanced Micro Four Thirds Panasonic GX7 - a blend of thoughtful ergonomics and innovative features for its time - and the entry-level, compact APS-C Sony NEX-3 that helped open the gates for Sony’s mirrorless ascent.
I’ve logged hundreds of hours on Panasonic and Sony mirrorless cameras over the years, and while these models aren’t cutting-edge anymore, their strengths and compromises still offer insights relevant to collectors, beginners with a budget, and photographers curious about tech trade-offs.
So, buckle up as we embark on a deep-dive comparison - not just specs on paper, but the kind of analysis that only comes from shooting portraits at dusk, chasing wildlife in the wild, crafting landscapes, and even video projects.
Size, Build, and Ergonomics: Handling the Cameras in Hand
The first impression - holding the GX7 against the NEX-3 - is telling. The Panasonic GX7 leans into a rangefinder-style mirrorless design with a retro flair. Its magnesium alloy body feels sturdy and solid, weighing 402 grams, with dimensions of 123 x 71 x 55 mm. The Sony NEX-3, on the other hand, is a notably smaller and lighter camera (just 297 grams, 117 x 62 x 33 mm), more in line with early mirrorless goals of compactness and portability.
From my experience, while the GX7 feels better suited for longer use with a comfortable grip and well-placed dedicated dials, the NEX-3 prays at the altar of simplicity - which works for casual shooters but can frustrate those requiring direct manual control or faster access to settings. The GX7’s built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 2.76 million dots offers a bright, crisp shooting experience, whereas the NEX-3 has no EVF at all, relying solely on its LCD screen.
So in terms of build, Panasonic GX7 wins for ergonomics and physical command, whereas Sony NEX-3 impresses by being super lightweight and pocketable. Depending on your shooting style, these differences weigh in significantly.
Frontline Design Philosophy: Control Layout and User Interface
Digging deeper, layout and control systems spell out the intended audience. Here’s a look from above:
The GX7's top plate is adorned with thoughtfully laid out dials - dedicated dics for exposure compensation, shutter speed, and mode selection. Such physical controls make shooting intuitive and fast-paced. Meanwhile, the NEX-3’s top bears a minimalistic form factor: a mode dial and shutter button, but almost all other settings are menu-driven.
If you appreciate tactile feedback and quick adjustments - especially crucial in dynamic situations like sports or street photography - the GX7 reveals its more professional pedigree. The NEX-3 appeals to those who can live in the menu system or prioritize minimalism.
Personally, I recall times chasing fast moments where fumbling through Sony’s menus felt like playing catch-up; Panasonic’s controls felt like an old friend handing me gear exactly where I wanted it.
Sensor Technology: Micro Four Thirds vs APS-C - The Pixel Showdown
Sensor size and resolution underpin image quality, low light performance, and depth-of-field control. The GX7 features a Micro Four Thirds 17.3 x 13 mm CMOS sensor with 16 megapixels, while the NEX-3 sports a larger APS-C 23.4 x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor at 14 megapixels.
Technically, the Sony NEX-3’s sensor has a larger surface area - roughly 365 mm² compared to GX7’s 225 mm², which usually translates to better noise control and dynamic range. However, Panasonic’s more modern Venus Engine image processor brings benefits like higher maximum shutter speeds with electronic shutter options (up to 1/16000s), and sensor-based image stabilization.
Tested in various conditions, the GX7 produces slightly sharper images at base ISO due to its 16MP count, while NEX-3 leans toward cleaner images at higher ISO thanks to its larger pixels. The NEX-3’s maximum ISO tops at 12,800, while GX7 goes up to 25,600 native, although usable quality at those extremes for both is limited.
In practical terms, if you prioritize noise-free results in dim environments, the NEX-3 often pulls ahead. For maximizing depth of field control or pixel-peeping, the GX7’s higher resolution can edge out.
Visual Feedback: EVF and LCD Screens
The GX7 holds an ace here with an electronic viewfinder, something completely missing on the NEX-3. This impacts framing, battery life, and situational shooting.
Both cameras have 3-inch tilting LCD screens, but Panasonic’s boasts a higher resolution at 1040k dots with touchscreen support - a godsend for adjusting focus points quickly or navigating menus. Sony’s 920k-dot TFT screen, while decent, lacks touch functionality and the richness of Panasonic’s display.
In bright sunlight or fast-moving scenes, I found the GX7’s EVF indispensable. The ability to compose through an eye-level finder with 100% coverage felt more professional and less prone to glare or misframing. The NEX-3 sometimes forced me to squint at the rear screen or shield it awkwardly.
For street or travel photographers who want unmissable framing options, Panasonic’s viewfinder makes life much easier.
Autofocus Systems: Speed, Accuracy, and Usability
Autofocus can make or break the shooting experience. The GX7 employs a contrast-detection AF system with 23 points, including face detection and continuous AF tracking, but lacking phase-detection pixels. The Sony NEX-3 also uses contrast-detection with 25 points, but without the continuous tracking or face-tracking sophistication found in newer models.
In real-world testing across genres - portraits, wildlife, or street - I noticed the GX7’s autofocus to be more consistent and reliable in continuous tracking, especially for moderately moving subjects. The NEX-3 autofocus, though faster in single-shot contexts and capable of 7 fps burst mode, struggles in maintaining focus during action sequences or low contrast scenes.
Neither camera is a blazing AF powerhouse by today's standards, but if you want more confidence in your autofocus for sports or wildlife photography, the GX7 performs with fewer missed shots.
Burst Rates and Shutter Capabilities
Sony’s NEX-3 offers 7 frames per second (fps) in burst mode, slightly outpacing GX7's 5 fps, a point likely to catch the attention of sports or wildlife shooters needing fast sequences. That said, the GX7 compensates with electronic shutter speeds up to 1/16000s, offering opportunities for shooting in bright conditions with wide apertures, or capturing ultra-fast moments silently.
If you’re a wedding or street photographer where stealth and ultra-fast shutter speeds matter, the GX7’s silent shutter is a decisive advantage. NEX-3 has no silent electronic shutter option, which can be noisy and obtrusive.
Image Stabilization: A Practical Need
Here the GX7 sports sensor-shift image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake and helps photographers shoot handheld at slower shutter speeds with sharp results. The Sony NEX-3 lacks any form of in-body stabilization, relying on lens-based or no stabilization.
Having used and abused both systems - or the lack thereof - over time, I can affirm Panasonic’s sensor-based stabilization makes a real difference, especially for macro, low light, and travel photography where tripods aren’t always an option.
Sony shooters using NEX-3 must be cautious with shutter speeds or invest in stabilized lenses to match.
Lens Ecosystem Compatibility and Focal Length Implications
Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds mount boasts a mature lens ecosystem - 107 lenses at last count - ranging from affordable primes to high-end zooms. The lens mount’s 2x crop factor means a 25mm lens acts roughly as a 50mm full-frame equivalent, making focal length planning straightforward.
Sony’s E-mount, in contrast, provides a wider array of lenses (121 lenses), mainly designed for APS-C or full-frame sensors. The NEX-3’s 1.5x crop factor means a 30mm lens approximates a 45mm equivalent focal length.
If you need versatility and a range of affordable choices, both lens systems deliver, but Micro Four Thirds typically edges out in quantity and price points due to its mature ecosystem and many third-party manufacturers.
Portrait Photography: Skin Tones, Bokeh, and Eye Detection
Portraiture often demands excellent skin tone reproduction, smooth background blur, and reliable eye detection autofocus.
Panasonic’s GX7, benefiting from a higher resolution sensor, better EVF, and sensor-shift stabilization, offers pleasant skin color rendition with fine detail. Its contrast-detection AF with face detection works well in controlled lighting but can falter in complex outdoor light scenarios. Lack of phase detection means eye AF is absent, which can frustrate tight portraits aiming at focus precision.
Sony’s NEX-3, despite lower resolution and lacking eye AF as well, captures pleasing skin tones typical of APS-C sensors that render slightly cleaner images at low light. However, the lack of mechanical controls can slow down changing aperture or shutter speed to fine-tune exposure in portrait sessions.
For studio or dedicated portrait shoots, Panasonic edges ahead due to image quality and handling, though neither camera matches modern mirrorless eye AF sophistication.
Landscape Photography: Dynamic Range, Resolution, and Weather Sealing
Landscape photography demands high resolution, wide dynamic range, and ideally a weather-sealed body for excursions.
Panasonic’s 12.2 EV dynamic range rating and 16MP resolution make it quite capable, and sensor stabilization allows handheld shooting at slower shutter speeds of waterfalls, forests, and nighttime cityscapes. However, it lacks weather sealing, a common omission at this price.
Sony’s sensor sports a similar dynamic range (12.0 EV) but fewer megapixels (14MP). The lack of stabilization means relying more on tripods for longer exposures.
Neither camera is weather sealed, so hikers and serious outdoor photographers should take protective measures.
Wildlife and Sports Photography: Tracking, Burst, and Telephoto Handling
Both cameras have limitations here. Burst shooting favors Sony’s NEX-3 (7 fps), while autofocus tracking benefits Panasonic’s GX7 (continuous AF with face detection).
The GX7’s sensor stabilization helps with handheld telephoto shooting - crucial when using long Micro Four Thirds zooms - whereas NEX-3 requires stabilized lenses or tripods.
Overall, for wildlife or sports, the GX7 offers more usable tracking, but the NEX-3’s speed advantage and larger sensor might capture cleaner action images under optimal conditions, if you’re patient with focus hunting.
Street and Travel Photography: Portability and Discreteness
NEX-3 excels with its lighter form factor and smaller profile, suiting street shooters seeking minimal gear. However, the lack of EVF is a drawback for bright environments and obstructed rear screen views.
GX7, though bigger and heavier, feels more balanced for travel with an intuitive handling experience and built-in image stabilization that encourages creative handheld shooting.
Connectivity-wise, GX7 offers built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for easy image transfers; NEX-3’s Eye-Fi support is more limited and dependent on proprietary cards.
Macro and Night/Astro Photography Capabilities
Sensor stabilization on the GX7 is a boon for macro shooters, reducing handshake. Its tilting touchscreen allows precise focusing - a joy when chasing tiny subjects.
Night and astro photographers benefit again from stabilization, plus the GX7’s higher native ISO and silent shutter expand shooting options. The NEX-3’s cleaner high ISO is helpful but constricted by lower maximum shutter speed (1/4000s) and absence of mechanical improvement like silent shutter.
Neither camera sports focus bracketing or stacking, features that contemporary macro shooters might miss.
Video Performance: What’s Behind the Lens?
The Panasonic GX7 supports Full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps (AVCHD and MPEG-4), featuring continuous AF, built-in stabilization, and HDMI output - ideal for casual videographers.
Sony NEX-3 offers only 720p HD video at 30fps (MPEG-4), lacking full HD or 60fps options.
Both cameras lack microphone and headphone jacks, limiting pro audio control without external recorders.
For videographers, Panasonic is hands-down better suited.
Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity
Both cameras take single SD cards (GX7 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC; NEX-3 also supports Memory Stick Pro Duo).
Battery life is similar (350 shots GX7, 330 shots NEX-3), average for entry-to-midrange mirrorless models of their era.
For wireless connectivity, GX7 includes Wi-Fi and NFC, facilitating quick sharing and remote shooting - features missing from the NEX-3, which relied on Eye-Fi cards - an inconvenient and now mostly obsolete solution.
Overall Performance Scores and Genre-Specific Ratings
Taking into account DxOMark sensor scores, real-world autofocus, ergonomics, and other factors, here’s a summarized snapshot:
And a more granular look at how each camera fares by photographic discipline:
As you can see, Panasonic’s GX7 leads generally in build, versatility, and image quality for controlled shooting environments, while Sony’s NEX-3 shines in portability and burst speed but lags in handling and stabilization.
Real-World Sample Images: Seeing is Believing
Let’s not forget the ultimate judge - image output.
From portrait skin tones to lush landscapes and fast-action sequences, these samples illustrate the Panasonic’s sharper clarity and richer color nuance, plus the Sony’s cleaner low-light performance. Note some softness in Sony’s samples under dynamic lighting - a byproduct of no stabilization and simpler AF.
Final Thoughts - Who Should Buy Which Camera?
So who wins the matchup of Panasonic GX7 vs Sony NEX-3? It depends on your priorities:
-
Choose Panasonic GX7 if: You want a versatile, solidly built advanced mirrorless that excels in ergonomics, image stabilization, manual controls, and full HD video - great for enthusiasts shooting portraits, landscapes, travel, and casual wildlife or street photography who value handling.
-
Choose Sony NEX-3 if: You need a highly portable, entry-level mirrorless with a larger APS-C sensor that offers decent image quality and fast burst shooting, appropriate for casual users or learners on a tight budget who prioritize size and speed over professional features.
Neither camera is waterproof or weather sealed, so plan accordingly in rough conditions.
Both have aged well, but in 2024, their primary appeal is budget-conscious shooters or those seeking solid backups rather than cutting-edge performance.
This kind of side-by-side, seasoned perspective - backed by technical testing and practical shooting scenarios - helps photographers avoid marketing noise and focus on what gear truly delivers.
Happy shooting, whichever camera finds a place in your bag!
Summary Table of Key Technical Differentiators
Feature | Panasonic GX7 | Sony NEX-3 |
---|---|---|
Sensor Size | Micro Four Thirds (17.3x13 mm) | APS-C (23.4x15.6 mm) |
Megapixels | 16 | 14 |
Image Stabilization | 5-Axis Sensor-shift | None |
Max Burst | 5 fps | 7 fps |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/16000s (electronic) | 1/4000s (mechanical) |
Video Capability | 1080p @ 60fps | 720p @ 30fps |
Viewfinder | Electronic EVF, 2.76M dots | None |
Screen | 3" Tilting Touchscreen, 1040k dots | 3" Tilting LCD, 920k dots |
Wireless | Wi-Fi + NFC | Eye-Fi support only |
Weight | 402 g | 297 g |
Price at Launch | $999 | Entry-level pricing |
In conclusion, these two cameras illustrate the trade-offs early mirrorless models demanded: compactness vs control, sensor size vs stabilization, and simplicity vs advanced features.
By weighing those factors honestly and through my hands-on experience, I hope this deep comparison serves as a beacon to help you find your ideal creative partner in camera gear.
Panasonic GX7 vs Sony NEX-3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 | Sony Alpha NEX-3 |
Type | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level Mirrorless |
Announced | 2013-11-07 | 2010-06-07 |
Body design | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Rangefinder-style mirrorless |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixels | 14 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 4592 x 3056 |
Maximum native ISO | 25600 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 125 | 200 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E |
Total lenses | 107 | 121 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 1,040 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen technology | LCD | TFT Xtra Fine LCD |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | None |
Viewfinder resolution | 2,765 thousand dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | - |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | - |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Fastest silent shutter speed | 1/16000 secs | - |
Continuous shutter speed | 5.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.00 m (at ISO 200) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, Auto & Red-eye reduction, Fill-in flash, Slow sync, Slow sync w/red-eye reduction, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | 1/320 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 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 640 x 480 (30p) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 402 grams (0.89 lbs) | 297 grams (0.65 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 123 x 71 x 55mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 2.2") | 117 x 62 x 33mm (4.6" x 2.4" x 1.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 70 | 68 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 22.6 | 22.1 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 12.2 | 12.0 |
DXO Low light rating | 718 | 830 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 350 images | 330 images |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | NPFW50 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/ 3 shots) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10sec (3 images)) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card | SD/ SDHC/SDXC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Launch cost | $1,000 | $0 |