• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A380 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.16 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.60 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dynamic range
    11.8 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.20 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic G3 advantages over Sony DSLR-A380

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $849 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 71 mm
    Thinner
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.49x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 1.7 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380
Pentax K-7
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic G3
Pentax K-7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Nikon D3100

Sony DSLR-A380
Nikon D3100
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
Panasonic G3
Nikon D3100
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A33

Sony DSLR-A380
Sony A33
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • External Mic Jack
Panasonic G3
Sony A33
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $540
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Sony DSLR-A380
Olympus E-M5
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Sony DSLR-A380
Panasonic GX7
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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