Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3
96 Imaging
37 Features
29 Overall
33


94 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
- 112g - 98 x 57 x 21mm
- Launched January 2012
(Full Review)
- 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 35-140mm (F3.5-10.0) lens
- 185g - 97 x 59 x 22mm
- Introduced January 2009

Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Overview
Below is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic S2 and Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the S2 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor size (1/2.3").

The S2 was announced 3 years later than the G3 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).
Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summation of how the S2 grades versus the G3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic S2 Gallery and Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S2 over the Sony G3
S2 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2012 | ![]() | January 2009 | More recent by 37 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic S2
G3 | S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Display sizing | 3.5" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.8") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper display (+691k dot) |
Touch display | ![]() | Easily navigate |
Common features in the Panasonic S2 and Sony G3
S2 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen |
Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
If you are going to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic S2 features exterior measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") with a weight of 112 grams (0.25 lbs) and the Sony G3 has specifications of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic S2 and Sony G3 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are working with during that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the S2 vs the G3.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S2 and G3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it is very hard to visualize the difference between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The visual here will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S2 and G3.
As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic S2 to offer extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more recent S2 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S2 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Sony |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S2 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2012-01-09 | 2009-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3648 x 2736 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW data | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detect focus | ||
Contract detect focus | ||
Phase detect focus | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-6.5 | f/3.5-10.0 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.7" | 3.5" |
Display resolution | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Display tech | TFT Color LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Lowest shutter speed | 8 secs | 1 secs |
Highest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1000 secs |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 2.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 640x480 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | 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 | ||
Environmental sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 112g (0.25 lb) | 185g (0.41 lb) |
Dimensions | 98 x 57 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.8") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 280 shots | - |
Style of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $109 | $200 |