Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


94 Imaging
32 Features
30 Overall
31
Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
- 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
- Launched January 2011
(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 S3 vs Sony G3 Overview
Here is a extended comparison of the Panasonic S3 and Sony G3, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by brands Panasonic and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and G3 (10MP) but both cameras posses the identical sensor size (1/2.3").

The S3 was introduced 2 years later than the G3 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the S3 matches up against the G3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 & Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery & Sony G3 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Sony G3
S3 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2011 | ![]() | January 2009 | Fresher by 25 months |
Reasons to pick Sony G3 over the Panasonic S3
G3 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manually focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Display size | 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 S3 and Sony G3
S3 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither has selfie screen |
Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry your camera often, you need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 has external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Sony G3 has sizing of 97mm x 59mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") having a weight of 185 grams (0.41 lbs).
Check the Panasonic S3 and Sony G3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the S3 against the G3.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the S3 and G3 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and G3.
As you have seen, both of these cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic S3 to render extra detail using its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The more recent S3 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Sony G3 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand | Panasonic | Sony |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2011-01-05 | 2009-01-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine IV | - |
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 surface area | 27.7mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 3648 x 2736 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Number of focus points | 11 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens focal range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | 35-140mm (4.0x) |
Max aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | f/3.5-10.0 |
Macro focus distance | 5cm | - |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 2.7 inch | 3.5 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 8 secs | 1 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/1000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per sec | 2.0 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash range | 3.30 m | 4.30 m (Auto ISO) |
Flash modes | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
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 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 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 | MPEG-4 | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
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 proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 117g (0.26 lb) | 185g (0.41 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 97 x 59 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.3" x 0.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light score | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 shots | - |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | - |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo, Internal |
Card slots | Single | Single |
Price at release | $110 | $200 |