• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400

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Differences

Panasonic G3 advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 330 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Lighter weight
    364g vs 583g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.18 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF5
Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Lens
  • Kit with 14-42mm Power Lens
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Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • Read our Panasonic GF5 Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-PM1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-PM1

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Thinner

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-M5
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GX7
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Lighter weight
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M10

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-M10
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Lighter weight
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF5 vs Olympus E-M10

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