Updated (June, 2011): Compare the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 vs Sony NEX C3

Sony NEX C3

76

Winner

Sony NEX C3

Reasons to buy the Sony NEX C3

Low light performance
Low noise at high ISO
1,083 ISO
Overall image quality
Great image quality
73.0
Screen resolution
High resolution screen
921k dots
Color depth
Great color depth
22.7 bits
Dynamic range
Wide dynamic range
12.2 EV
True resolution
High true resolution
16 MP
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

55

"The GF2 sits nicely in your hand , and despite its reduced size is comfortable to hold."
dpreview.com | talking about the DMC-GF2's feel
"Superb fully-customisable quick menu"
dpreview.com | talking about the DMC-GF2's button-layout

Reasons to buy the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2

Touch screen
Touch screen
Less buttons
Startup delay
Almost no delay when powering up
1000 ms startup delay
Interchangeable lenses
Interchangeable lenses
Many lenses to choose from
Sensor cleaning
Self cleaning sensor
Avoids dust in your photos
Longest exposure
Long exposures
60 seconds
Built-in flash
Built-in flash
External flash not needed

differences

Advantages of the Panasonic DMC-GF2

Movie format Higher resolution movies 1080p @ 30fps vs 720p @ 30fps
Help
Shoots higher resolution Full HD (1080p) video
Touch screen Has a touch screen Yes vs No
Help
Fewer buttons to worry about and direct interaction with camera menus
Lens availability More lenses available 26 lenses vs 8 lenses
Help
Around 3.5x more lenses available
Startup delay Less startup delay 1000 ms vs 1200 ms
Help
Around 20% less delay when turning on
Shutter lag Less shutter lag 337 ms vs 430 ms
Help
More than 20% less delay when taking photos
Longest exposure Significantly longer exposures 60s vs 30s
Help
2x longer exposures
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
Lowest price Cheaper $375.99 vs $548.00
Help
The best price we've seen is $172 cheaper (more than 30% less)
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Learn more about
the Panasonic DMC-GF2

Advantages of the Sony C3

Low light performance Much lower noise at high ISO 1,083 ISO vs 506 ISO
Help
The C3 has excellent image quality 1.1 f-stops higher ISO than the DMC-GF2
Overall image quality Significantly better image quality 73.0 vs 54.0
Help
Around 40% better image quality
Screen resolution Significantly higher resolution screen 921k dots vs 460k dots
Help
More than 2x higher resolution screen
Dynamic range More dynamic range 12.2 EV vs 10.3 EV
Help
1.9 f-stops more dynamic range
Color depth Better color depth 22.7 bits vs 21.2 bits
Help
Distinguishes 1.5 more bits of color
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
HDR Has in-camera HDR Yes vs No
Help
Combines multiple exposures to capture high dynamic range
Panorama Can create panoramas in-camera Yes vs No
Help
Stitches together multiple photos for a wide perspective
True resolution Significantly higher true resolution 16 MP vs 12 MP
Help
Capture more than 30% more detail in your photos
Battery life Significantly longer battery life 400 shots vs 300 shots
Help
More than 30% more shots per battery charge
Light sensitivity Better maximum light sensitivity 12,800 ISO vs 6,400 ISO
Help
The C3's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better
Sensor size Larger sensor APS-C 23.4x15.6mm vs Four thirds 17.3x13.0mm
Help
More than 60% larger sensor
Continuous shooting Shoots slightly faster 5.5 fps vs 3.2 fps
Help
More than 70% faster continuous shooting
Weight Lighter 225 g vs 310 g
Help
Around 30% lighter
Size Slightly smaller 110x60x33 mm vs 113x68x33 mm
Help
More than 10% smaller
Sony NEX C3 Learn more about
the Sony C3
vs

recommendations

Relative to the best recent mirrorless cameras, and ignoring price

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
55 vs 76
Explain scores
Sony NEX C3 Sony NEX C3
Green arrow Snapsort recommends the Sony NEX C3.

advice

Need help deciding?

Ask the community!

I am considering either the Panasonic DMC-GF2 or the Sony C3,
For example: Taking photos in low light or great family photos or ability to take great photos underwater

Select aspects that are most important to you: (max 3)

Popular tags:

Are you a camera expert? Share your knowledge!

0
votes
by Jodan this month
Panasonic DMC-GF2 vs Panasonic DMC-GH1

I am only looking for a Camera to take video. And since both are hackable for even higher bitrat...

0
votes
by trixie-bird last week
Olympus PEN E-PL1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

Intermediate.  Want to take pictures or people and landscapes.

0
votes
by Amy-Elser this month
Sony C3 vs Sony NEX-3

I am essentially a beginner.  I'd like to  try to video my kids events and pull pictures from th...

1
votes
by pandiba last month
Nikon J1 vs Panasonic DMC-GF2

I'm a beginner. I want to upgrade my point & shoot but nothing as intense (or bulky) as a full-f...

1
votes
by Rajesh-Venkataraman last month
Panasonic DMC-GF3 vs Sony C3

I am a point and shoot photographer. I would like to upgrade to a bit more professional camera b...

One person recommends the Sony C3:

" Although the Sony NEX C3 doesn't have a built in flash it would still be my top choice. The N..."

similarities

Compared to recent mirrorless cameras

Common Strengths Common Weaknesses
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
Startup delay Minimal startup delay Help
DMC-GF2:1000 ms
C3:1200 ms
Size Fairly small Help
DMC-GF2:113x68x33 mm
C3:110x60x33 mm
Thickness Thin Help
1.3"
Lowest price Inexpensive Help
DMC-GF2:$375.99
C3:$548.00
Shutter lag Significant shutter lag Help
DMC-GF2:337 ms
C3:430 ms
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
Image stabilization No image stabilization Help
Risk of blur
Viewfinder No viewfinders Help
Can only preview photos on the screen

dxomark

DXOMark

competitors

Shared Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$433 body only

External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Startup delay Has much more startup delay
Sony NEX-5N

Sony NEX-5N

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$598 - $600 body only

$698 - $700 with 18-55mm lens

Light sensitivity Significantly higher maximum light sensitivity
Supports 24p Records movies in 24p
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Sony Alpha NEX-5

Sony Alpha NEX-5

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$569 with 18-55mm lens

Thickness Is thicker
Weight Is slightly heavier
Nikon 1 J1

Nikon 1 J1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$547 with 10-30mm lens

High-speed framerate Records high-speed movies
Continuous shooting Shoots faster continuously
External flash Doesn't support an external flash
Sensor size Has a marginally smaller sensor
Sony Alpha NEX-3

Sony Alpha NEX-3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$689 with 18-55mm lens

External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Storage slots Has more storage slots
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Weight Is slightly heavier
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$643 - $1,125 body only

$731 - $964 with 14-42mm lens

Shutter lag Has slightly less shutter lag
Lowest price Is slightly more expensive
Thickness Is thicker
Olympus PEN E-PM1

Olympus PEN E-PM1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$500 with 14-42mm lens

Image stabilization Has image stabilization

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5

Pro digicam

$339

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Startup delay Much more startup delay
Olympus PEN E-PL1

Olympus PEN E-PL1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$260 - $279 with 14-42mm lens

Image stabilization Image stabilization
External mic jack Has an external mic jack
Screen size Much smaller screen
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$1,125 with 14-45mm lens

Battery life Significantly longer battery life
Sensor size Slightly larger sensor
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Touch screen No touch screen
Olympus PEN E-PL2

Olympus PEN E-PL2

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$485 with 14-42mm lens

Image stabilization Image stabilization
Low light performance Slightly lower noise at high ISO
Movie format Lower resolution movies
Touch screen No touch screen

Sony NEX C3 Competitors

Advantages

Disadvantages

Sony NEX-F3

Sony NEX-F3

Mirrorless interchangeable-lens

$600 with 18-55mm lens

Movie format Higher resolution movies
Supports 24p Supports 24p
Movie continuous focus Doesn't focus continuously recording movies
Size Larger

appearance

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Sony NEX C3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Sony NEX C3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Sony NEX C3

discussion

Showing 0 comments