Panasonic Lumix
DMC-GF1
 vs
Sony Alpha
NEX-3

Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 vs Sony NEX C3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

69
"Most impressive is that it focuses fast enough to track a subject running full speed at the camera"
imaging-resource.com | talking about the NEX-3's video-quality
"The Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 are unique cameras that will be remembered for their design as well as their excellent image quality/"
imaging-resource.com | talking about the NEX-3's image-quality

Reasons to buy the Sony Alpha NEX-3

Low light performance
 Low noise at high ISO
830 ISO
Overall image quality
 Great image quality
68.0
Screen resolution
 High resolution screen
920k dots
Color depth
 Great color depth
22.1 bits
Dynamic range
 Wide dynamic range
12 EV
Light sensitivity
 High ISO
12,800 ISO
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

45

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Badge
 Built-in focus motor
Autofocuses with more lenses
Battery life
 Great battery life
400 shots
Interchangeable lenses
 Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor type
 CMOS Sensor
Better in low light
External flash
 External flash
Better lighting
Longest exposure
 Long exposures
60 seconds

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF1
Lens availability Significantly more lenses available 26 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
 Around 3.5x more lenses available
Battery life Longer battery life 400 shots vs 330 shots
Help
 More than 20% more shots per battery charge
Shutter lag Slightly less shutter lag 409 ms vs 441 ms
Help
 Around 10% less delay when taking photos
Built-in flash Built-in flash Yes vs No
Help
 A built-in flash is useful for taking indoor shots where there is little light
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
 2x longer exposures
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF1

Advantages of the Sony NEX-3
Low light performance Significantly lower noise at high ISO 830 ISO vs 513 ISO
Help
 The NEX-3 has a slight edge (0.7 f-stops) in low noise, high ISO performance
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 68.0 vs 54.0
Help
 Around 30% better image quality
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 920k dots vs 460k dots
Help
 2x higher resolution screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
 1.7 f-stops more dynamic range
Storage slots Has more storage slots 2 vs 1
Help
 More slots allows storing more images without switching memory cards
Movie continuous focus Continuous video focus Yes vs No
Help
 Record movies without worrying about focus
External mic jack Has an external mic jack Yes vs No
Help
 Record high quality audio with an external microphone
Color depth Better color depth 22.1 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
 Distinguishes 0.9 more bits of color
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
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
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
 Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
3D Takes 3D photos Yes vs No
Help
 Combines multiple photos into a 3D image
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 3,200 ISO
Help
 The NEX-3's maximum light sensitivity is 2 f-stops better
Startup delay Less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1400 ms
Help
 Around 30% less delay when turning on
Sensor size Significantly larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 18.0x13.5mm
Help
 More than 50% larger sensor
True resolution Higher true resolution 14 MP vs 12 MP
Help
 Capture around 20% more detail in your photos
Lowest price Significantly cheaper $479.00 vs $999.99
Help
 The best price we've seen is $521 cheaper (2.1x less)
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 7 fps vs 3 fps
Help
 Around 2.5x faster continuous shooting
Size Smaller 117x62x33 mm vs 119x71x36 mm
Help
 More than 20% smaller
Weight Lighter 297 g vs 330 g
Help
 10% lighter
Thickness Slightly thinner 1.3" vs 1.4"
Help
 Around 10% thinner
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Learn more about
the Sony NEX-3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
45 vs 69
Explain scores
Sony Alpha NEX-3 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony Alpha NEX-3.

performance Which camera has better performance? Cast your vote!

PanasonicLumix DMC-GF1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 vs Sony Alpha NEX-3
SonyAlpha NEX-3
Uses Travel score Travel
On holiday or vacation
2
0
Vote Vote
Sports score Sports
Fast action, sometimes indoors
2
0
Vote Vote
Features Color accuracy Color accuracy
White balance in varied lighting
2
0
Vote Vote
Autofocus peformance Still image focusing
Speed and accuracy
3
0
Vote Vote
Autofocus performance Video focusing
Speed and accuracy
2
0
Vote Vote
Manual controls Manual settings
How quickly and easily you can change settings
2
0
Vote Vote
Build quality Build quality
Is it sturdy, well made, plastic or metal
3
0
Vote Vote
Green arrow Join in the discussion below!

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses

Snapsort is not aware of any interesting strengths shared by these two products.
Light sensitivity (boost) No boost ISO Help
Lacks boost light sensitivity
Touch screen No touchscreens Help
More buttons
Movie format Both shoot high resolution HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
DMC-GF1:409 ms
NEX-3:441 ms
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the Alpha NEX-5 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$499 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Overall image quality Has slightly better image quality
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the NEX C3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$329 - $379 with 14-42mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF2 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$700 body only

$439 with 14-42mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Touch screen Has a touch screen
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Color depth Has slightly less color depth
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the Lumix DMC-GF3 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$280 - $299 with 14-42mm lens
Image stabilization Has image stabilization
Lowest price Is slightly less expensive
Fastest shutter speed Has a slower max shutter speed
Thickness Is thicker
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the PEN E-PL1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$597 with 10-30mm lens
Movie format Records higher quality movies
High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Longest exposure Significantly shorter exposures
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the 1 J1 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$599 - $600 body only

$698 - $699 with 18-55mm lens
Low light performance Is slightly less noisy at high ISO
Movie format Records higher quality movies
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Compare the NEX-5N vs the Alpha NEX-3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$754 body only

$916 - $964 with 14-42mm lens
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Low light performance Lower noise at high ISO
Battery life Significantly shorter battery life
Color depth Worse color depth
Compare the Lumix DMC-GX1 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1
Fujifilm FinePix X100

Fujifilm FinePix X100

Boutique

$1,189 - $1,419
Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO
Overall image quality Much better image quality
Screen size Much smaller screen
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Compare the FinePix X100 vs the Lumix DMC-GF1

Sony Alpha NEX-3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages
Nikon D3100

Nikon D3100

Entry-level DSLR

$500 - $984 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Movie format Higher resolution movies
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Lens focus motor Doesn't have a built-in focus motor
Compare the D3100 vs the Alpha NEX-3
Canon Rebel T3

Canon Rebel T3

Entry-level DSLR

$379 body only

$460 - $550 with 18-55mm lens
Lens availability Much more lenses available
Battery life Much longer battery life
Screen size Much smaller screen
Screen resolution Much lower resolution screen
Compare the Rebel T3 vs the Alpha NEX-3

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Sony Alpha NEX-3

Find similar cameras

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discussion Which do you think is better?

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