Panasonic Lumix
DMC-G3
 vs
Panasonic Lumix
DMC-G2

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
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Size
 Really small
Standard size 115x84x47 mm
Thickness
 Thin
1.9"
Weight
 Light-weight
336 g
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

39

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

Touch screen
 Touch screen
Less buttons
Startup delay
 Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
Screen flips out
 Flip-out screen
Great for movies
External mic jack
 External mic jack
Record higher quality audio with a microphone
Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G3
Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
 Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO 667 ISO vs 493 ISO
Help
 The DMC-G3 has a slight edge (0.4 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Size Much smaller 115x84x47 mm vs 124x90x74 mm
Help
 Around 50% smaller
True resolution Higher true resolution 15.8 MP vs 12 MP
Help
 Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 293 ms vs 423 ms
Help
 More than 30% less delay when taking photos
Overall image quality Slightly better image quality 56.0 vs 53.0
Help
 Around 10% better image quality
Thickness Much thinner 1.9" vs 2.9"
Help
 Around 40% thinner
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 416 g
Help
 Around 20% lighter
Lowest price Slightly cheaper $499.87 vs $614.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $115 cheaper (around 20% less)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G3

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-G2
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Startup delay Significantly less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 390 shots vs 270 shots
Help
 More than 40% more shots per battery charge
Color depth Better color depth 21.2 bits vs 21 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.2 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
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-G2
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
63 vs 39
Explain scores
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3.

advice

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similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
Viewfinder Both have digital viewfinders Help
Digital
Touch screen Have touch screens Help
Less buttons
Screen flips out Flip-out screens Help
Great for movies
3D 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions
Longest exposure Long exposures Help
60 seconds
Built-in flash Each has a built-in flash Help
External flash not needed
Thickness Quite thick Help
DMC-G3:1.9"
DMC-G2:2.9"
Size Large Help
DMC-G3:115x84x47 mm
DMC-G2:124x90x74 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
Supports 24p No support for 24p Help
Missing that film look
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Dynamic range Poor dynamic range Help
DMC-G3:10.6 EV
DMC-G2:10.3 EV
Color depth Poor color depth Help
DMC-G3:21 bits
DMC-G2:21.2 bits
Screen resolution Low resolution screens Help
460k dots

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
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
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the Lumix DMC-GH2 vs the Lumix DMC-G2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only
Size Is significantly smaller
Thickness Is thinner
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Screen flips out Doesn't have a screen which flips out
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-G2
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
Compare the D5100 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the D5100 vs the Lumix DMC-G2
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
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Lumix DMC-G2
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
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Lumix DMC-G2
Canon Rebel T3i

Canon Rebel T3i

Entry-level DSLR

$619 - $700 body only

$745 - $1,000 with 18-55mm lens
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Screen resolution Has a much higher resolution screen
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the Rebel T3i vs the Lumix DMC-G2
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $547 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the D3100 vs the Lumix DMC-G3
Compare the D3100 vs the Lumix DMC-G2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 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
HDR Has in-camera HDR
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity
Viewfinder No viewfinder
Screen flips out Screen does not flip out
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-G3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$330 with 14-42mm lens
Lowest price Cheaper
Weight Lighter
Touch screen No touch screen
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack
Compare the Lumix DMC-G10 vs the Lumix DMC-G2

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2

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