• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic G3 advantages over Panasonic ZS50

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    667 vs 138 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.46x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • 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
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic ZS50 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner
  • Newer
    9 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More dots on screen
    1040k 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Black)
  • Panasonic ZS50 (Silver)
All ZS50 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

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 ZS50
Olympus E-M5
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 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 ZS50
Panasonic GX7
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Thinner
  • Slow-motion videos
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic G3
Panasonic ZS40
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic ZS40

Panasonic ZS50
Panasonic ZS40
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $380
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Panasonic ZS40

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 ZS50
Olympus E-M10
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • NFC
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic G3
Canon SX700 HS
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Canon SX700 HS

Panasonic ZS50
Canon SX700 HS
  • $279
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Faster shutter

Compare Panasonic ZS50 vs Canon SX700 HS

Compare Other Cameras?