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

Touch screen
Touch screen
Less buttons
Screen flips out
Flip-out screen
Great for movies
3D
Takes 3D photos
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Badge
Autofocuses shooting video
Contrast detection
Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Size
Really small
Standard size 115x84x47 mm
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

33

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

Badge
Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Size
Really small
Standard size 124x84x45 mm
Thickness
Thin
1.8"
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G3

Movie format Shoots movies 1080p @ 30fps vs None
Help
Shoots Full HD (1080p) video as well as still pictures
Autofocus Video autofocus Contrast detection vs None
Help
Automatically focuses shooting video
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 667 ISO vs 463 ISO
Help
The DMC-G3 has a slight edge (0.5 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
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
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
True resolution Higher true resolution 15.8 MP vs 12 MP
Help
Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 6,400 ISO vs 1,600 ISO
Help
The DMC-G3's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 56.0 vs 53.0
Help
Around 10% better image quality
Dynamic range More dynamic range 10.6 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
0.3 f-stops more dynamic range
Weight Lighter 336 g vs 430 g
Help
More than 20% lighter
Size Slightly smaller 115x84x47 mm vs 124x84x45 mm
Help
Almost the same
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G3

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G1

Color depth Better color depth 21.1 bits vs 21 bits
Help
Distinguishes 0.1 more bits of color
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
Around 10% larger sensor
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.8" vs 1.9"
Help
Almost the same
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G1
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
63 vs 33
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3.

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."

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...

1
votes
by creativesoulny this month
Panasonic DMC-G3 vs Sony NEX-5N

I travel internationally and take photos, some of which I sell after printing on my Epson printe...

One person recommends the Panasonic DMC-G3:

" the panasonic, it might have a smaller(4/3 vs aps-c) sensor but the images are considered crysta..."

One person recommends the Sony NEX-5N:

" I'd recommend the Sony NEX-5N, it has a huge sensor (APS-C), and tons of great built in features..."

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
DMC-G3:$499.87
DMC-G1:$489.90
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
60 seconds
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Size Large Help
DMC-G3:115x84x47 mm
DMC-G1:124x84x45 mm
Panorama Neither camera stitches together panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
HDR Neither has in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Color depth Poor color depth Help
DMC-G3:21 bits
DMC-G1:21.1 bits
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
DMC-G3:10.6 EV
DMC-G1:10.3 EV
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
460k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Light sensitivity Slightly higher maximum light sensitivity
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Viewfinder Doesn't have a viewfinder
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-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

Battery life Has a slightly longer battery life
Size Is significantly smaller
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Startup delay Has significantly more startup delay
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$615 - $642 with 14-42mm lens

Startup delay Has significantly less startup delay
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
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
Nikon D5100

Nikon D5100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $597 body only

$600 - $697 with 18-55mm lens

Low light performance Is significantly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has much better image quality
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a significantly higher resolution screen
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Built-in flash Doesn't have a built-in flash

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

No significant competitors found that are specific to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$330 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Size Much larger
Low light performance Slightly more noise at high ISO
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,125 with 14-45mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Autofocus Video autofocus
Viewfinder No viewfinder
Lowest price Significantly more expensive
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

Movie format Shoots movies
Image stabilization Image stabilization
Screen size Much smaller screen
Viewfinder No viewfinder

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1

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