• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 140.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
  • Canon PowerShot G15
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic G2
G2 vs G3
Canon G12
G12 vs G15
Successor: Panasonic G5
G3 vs G5
Canon G16
G15 vs G16
General
Model Number: G3 G15
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Mid-Sized
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.99 $499.99
Street Price:   $649.95
Date Available: 2011-06-21 2012-10-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 20.6 oz (583 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
12.3 oz (350 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 1.8 in.
(115 x 84 x 47 mm)
4.2 x 3.0 x 1.6 in.
(107 x 76 x 40 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic  
Effective Megapixels: 16.0 12.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 1/1.7 inch
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 43.32mm2 (7.6mm x 5.7mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.77 microns 1.90 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56 46
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.0 19.9
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.6 11.5
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 667 165
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3448 (15.8 MP, 4:3),
4576 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4576 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3424 x 3424 (11.7 MP, 1:1),
3232 x 2424 (7.8 MP, 4:3),
3232 x 2160 (7.0 MP, 3:2),
3232 x 1824 (5.9 MP, Other),
2416 x 2416 (5.8 MP, 1:1),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9)
4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2664 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1200 x 1200 (1.4 MP, 1:1),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
640 x 360 (0.2 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.2), 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.4 10.2
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1280x720 (60/​50/​30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (24)
1280x720 (30)
640x480 (30)
Movie File Format: AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds n/a
Lens: Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lumix G VARIO MEGA O.I.S Canon Zoom Lens
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 28 - 140mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 6.1 - 30.5mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 5.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f.5.6 - 22 (tele) f/1.8 (W) / f/2.8 (T) - f/8.0
Integrated ND Filter: No Yes
Normal Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
5 cm to Infinity
2.0 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 - 50 cm
0.4 - 19.7 in
Filter Thread: 52.0mm 58.0mm
Thread Type: n/a Via optional lens adapter
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x or 4x Up to 4x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint Touch (1- area-focusing in Face detection, AF Tracking, Multi-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint) Contrast Detect AF with Face Detection; 9-point AiAF, 1-point (center for face select and track)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 1,440K dots eq., 1.4x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor Real-image optical zoom; Picture coverage: approx. 80%; Eyepoint: 15mm; Dioptic Adjustment Range: -3.0 - +1.0m
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.40x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 922,000 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   12800
Minimum ISO (native):   80
ISO Settings: Auto, 160-6400 Intelligent ISO Auto, ISO 80 to 12800
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Fluorescent H, Flash, Custom 1/2, Underwater
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 15 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot Evaluative, Center-weighted average, Spot; Face Detect AE
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects,,Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illiminatioms, Baby 1, 2, Pet, Party, Sunset Scene modes (Portrait, Smooth Skin, Smart Shutter, High-Speed Burst HQ, Handheld NightScene, Underwater, Snow, Fireworks, Stitch Assist), Creative Filters (High Dynamic Range, Nostalgic, Fish-eye Effect, Miniature Effect, Toy Camera Effect, Soft Focus, Monochrome, Super Vivid, Poster Effect, Color Accent, Color Swap)
Self Timer: 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds 1 - 30 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Auto w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On w/Red-eye Reduction, Flash Off; FE lock, Safety FE, Slow Synchro, Second-curtain synchro
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 8.3 m / 27.2 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Auto ISO: 1.6 ft.-23 ft./50 cm-7 m (W), 1.6-15 ft./50cm-4.5m (T)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/2000
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot-Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW + JPEG 12-bit RAW (.CR2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG MOV (Image: H.264, Audio: Stereo PCM)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional DMW-RSL1 cable remote Wired
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm remote socket, combined AV/USB connector Combined USB/AV, Mini (Type-C) HDMI, Remote Terminal
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.66 2.07
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.67 2.83
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   2.91
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.4 10.2
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7 10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.2
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   20
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   1.0
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   5
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.29 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.30 seconds 0.46 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.091 seconds 0.454 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.57 seconds 0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.080 seconds 0.073 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.294s Quick AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.297s  
Startup Time: 1.4 seconds 2.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.8 seconds 1.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 5.5 seconds 3.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 270 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   770 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary NB-10L
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary NB-10L Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
OS Compatibility:   Windows XP SP3/Vista/7, Mac OS
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 16-megapixel Sensor, Improved High ISO IQ, Faster AF, Metal Body, 1920x1080 HD Movies, Articulating Touch-screen LCD, 2.5mm Remote Socket, Mini HDMI Type-C Connector. Available in black, brown, red or white. Fast f/1.8(W)-f/2.8(T) lens, DIGIC 5 processor, Intelligent Image Stabilization, improved AF performance, 10 fps High-Speed Burst mode, Full HD 1080p24 video, 58 scene Smart Auto, supports conversion lenses.