Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3
88 Imaging
35 Features
44 Overall
38


94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 12800
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 24-90mm (F2.0-3.3) lens
- 271g - 110 x 65 x 43mm
- Introduced December 2011
- Superseded the Panasonic LX3
- Replacement is Panasonic LX7
(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
- Revealed January 2009

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Overview
Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic LX5 and Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Sony. The resolution of the LX5 (10MP) and the G3 (10MP) is relatively similar but the LX5 (1/1.63") and G3 (1/2.3") posses different sensor sizes.

The LX5 was launched 2 years after the G3 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before we go into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the LX5 scores vs the G3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic LX5 Gallery & Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic LX5 over the Sony G3
LX5 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | December 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | More modern by 36 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic LX5
G3 | LX5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 3.5" | ![]() | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.5") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic LX5 and Sony G3
LX5 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LX5 offers external measurements of 110mm x 65mm x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 271 grams (0.60 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has proportions of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
See the Panasonic LX5 and Sony G3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the LX5 vs the G3.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LX5 and G3 is 88 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizes just by reviewing specs. The pic below should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the LX5 and G3.
All in all, both of these cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The LX5 comes with the bigger sensor which will make getting bokeh easier. The fresher LX5 should have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LX5 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2011-12-15 | 2009-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | Venus Engine FHD | - |
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/1.63" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 8.07 x 5.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor surface area | 44.9mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10MP | 10MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 12800 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Autofocus tracking | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 24-90mm (3.8x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/2.0-3.3 | f/3.5-10.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 1cm | - |
Crop factor | 4.5 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3.5 inch |
Screen resolution | 460k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic (optional) | None |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 1 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/1000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 3.0fps | 2.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 7.20 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 | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video file format | AVCHD Lite | Motion JPEG |
Microphone 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 proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 271 gr (0.60 lbs) | 185 gr (0.41 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 110 x 65 x 43mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.7") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 41 | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | 19.6 | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.8 | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | 132 | not tested |
Other | ||
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Price at release | $294 | $200 |