Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

63

"For someone considering a camera to improve upon compact digital image quality, the mirrorless interchangeable lens genre is a slam dunk."
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the DMC-G3's overall-performance
"Otherwise, control placement seems logical and Panasonic has arranged them so as to present little potential for inadvertent activations"
digitalcamerareview.com | talking about the DMC-G3's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3

Viewfinder
Great viewfinder
Digital
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor cleaning
Self cleaning sensor
Avoids dust in your photos
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

61

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

HDR
In-camera HDR
Combines multiple exposures
Size
Really small
Mid size 116x68x39 mm
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor cleaning
Self cleaning sensor
Avoids dust in your photos
Thickness
Thin
1.5"

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G3

Viewfinder Has a viewfinder Digital vs None
Help
A viewfinder can help save battery life by keeping the screen turned off
Screen flips out Has a flip-out screen Yes vs No
Help
Flip-out screens can be helpful when composing tricky shots or taking movies
Color depth Better color depth 21 bits vs 20.8 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.2 more bits of color
Lowest price Cheaper $499.87 vs $642.80
Help
The best price we've seen is $143 cheaper (more than 20% less)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G3

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GX1

HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The DMC-GX1's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Size Smaller 116x68x39 mm vs 115x84x47 mm
Help
More than 30% smaller
Battery life Longer battery life 310 shots vs 270 shots
Help
More than 10% more shots per battery charge
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO 703 ISO vs 667 ISO
Help
The DMC-GX1 has a slight edge (0.1 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 259 ms vs 293 ms
Help
More than 10% less delay when taking photos
Thickness Thinner 1.5" vs 1.9"
Help
Around 20% thinner
Weight Slightly lighter 318 g vs 336 g
Help
Around 10% lighter
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GX1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
63 vs 61
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
Green arrow Too close to call! Snapsort considers these cameras too competitive to make a clear recommendation.

advice

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2
votes
by Brad-Jones this month
Olympus E-PM1 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am an expert beginner! I have been interested in photography all my life, with a parent who wo...

8 people recommend the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" Lumix its the best from those choice and U can get cheaper G1 or G2 "

" personally I have not been happy with the olympus's I have used.  I would check amazon or bhphot..."

One person recommends the Olympus E-PM1:

" GF1 or GX1 , because it is the best ;) I have one, beside of my 5D mkII."

0
votes
by Mark-Ballard last week
Panasonic DMC-GX1 vs Sony NEX-5

Hey everyone. I'm a pretty unexperienced amateur that currently uses a Samsung NX10 normally wit...

0
votes
by Nan-Milburn last month
Canon SD750 vs Panasonic DMC-GX1

I have used the Canon SD750 digital camera for several years but I don't get very good photos. Cou...

1
votes
by jancasey last month
Nikon D3100 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

Total beginner.  Have only used "point and shoot" cameras before.  Looking for something that wi...

One person recommends the Nikon D3100:

" Without a doubt, the image quality of the Nikon, trumps the Panasonic to a point where the two a..."

0
votes
by Marcia-Powdermaker last month
Nikon V1 vs Panasonic DMC-G3

I am not a beginner, I have used SLRs for years, but haven't had a DSLR camera. I have used the...

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Touch screen Have touch screens Help
Less buttons
Movie format Full HD (1080p) video Help
DMC-G3:1080p @ 30fps
DMC-GX1:1080p @ 60fps
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Movie continuous focus Focus continuously recording movies Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
60 seconds
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
External mic jack Neither has an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Color depth Poor color depth Help
DMC-G3:21 bits
DMC-GX1:20.8 bits
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
10.6 EV
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
460k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Canon PowerShot G1X

Canon PowerShot G1X

Boutique

$799 - $800

Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has significantly better image quality
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Size Is slightly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $997 with 14-42mm lens

Dynamic range Has slightly wider dynamic range
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$755 - $964 body only

$803 with 14-42mm lens

Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,000 - $1,299 body only

$1,100 with 14-42mm lens

Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash
Lowest price Is significantly more expensive
Olympus PEN E-P3

Olympus PEN E-P3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$849 - $900 with 17mm lens

Screen resolution Has a slightly higher resolution screen
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
True resolution Takes slightly lower resolution photos

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$615 - $642 with 14-42mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Low light performance More noise at high ISO

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1.

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

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