Panasonic G3 vs Sony NEX-C3 Specifications

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G3.

APS-C 365.0mm²
16.2 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Sony NEX-C3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the NEX-C3.

Detailed specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
Sony Alpha NEX-C3

Links
Prices:
Manufacturer URL:	Manufacturer website	Manufacturer website
Predecessor:	Panasonic G2 G2 vs G3
Successor:	Panasonic G5 G3 vs G5
General
Model Number:	G3	NEX-C3
Alternate Model Number(s):
Camera Format:	Compact System Camera	Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured:	No	No
Retail Price:	$699.99	$599.99
Street Price:		$559.47
Date Available:	2011-06-21	2011-08-01
Tripod Mount:	Yes	Yes
Weight:	20.6 oz (583 g) includes batteries, kit lens	17.5 oz (497 g) includes batteries, kit lens
Size:	4.5 x 3.3 x 1.8 in. (115 x 84 x 47 mm)	4.3 x 2.4 x 1.3 in. (110 x 60 x 33 mm)
Waterproof:	No	No
Waterproof Depth:	n/a	n/a

Image Sensor
Sensor Type:	Live MOS	CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer:	Panasonic	Sony
Effective Megapixels:	16.0	16.2
Sensor Format:	4/3	APS-C
Sensor size:	224.9mm² (17.30mm x 13.00mm)	365.04mm² (23.40mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch:	3.77 microns	4.76 microns
Focal Length Multiplier:	2.0x	1.5x
Aspect Ratio:	4:3	3:2, 16:9
Color Filter Type:	RGBG	RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter:	Fixed	Fixed
Self-Cleaning:	Yes	Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization:	No	No
On-Sensor Phase Detect:	No	No
DxO Sensor Score:	56	73
DxO Color Depth Score (bits):	21.0	22.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs):	10.6	12.2
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso):	667	1,083
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)	4912 x 3264 (16.0 MP, 3:2), 4912 x 2760 (13.6 MP, 16:9), 3568 x 2368 (8.4 MP, Other), 3568 x 2000 (7.1 MP, 16:9), 2448 x 1624 (4.0 MP, Other), 2448 x 1376 (3.4 MP, 16:9), 12416 x 1856 (23.0 MP, Other), 8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other), 2160 x 5536 (12.0 MP, Other), 2160 x 3872 (8.4 MP, Other), 7152 x 1080 (7.7 MP, Other), 4912 x 1080 (5.3 MP, Other), 1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9)
Image File Format:	JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG	JPEG, RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second:	3.4	5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies:	Yes	Yes
Movie Resolution:	1920x1080 (60i/50i) 1280x720 (60/50/30) 640x480 (30) 320x240 (30)	1280x720 (30) 640x480 (30)
Movie File Format:	AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG	MP4
Composite Video Out:	Yes	No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video:	Yes	n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder:	No	n/a
HD Video Out:	Yes	Yes
HD Video Connection:	HDMI	HDMI

Lens & Optics
Lens Mount:	Micro Four Thirds	Sony E
Lens:	Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lumix G VARIO MEGA O.I.S	Sony SEL1855 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):	28 - 84mm	27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual):	14 - 42mm	18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio:	3.00x	3.00x
Aperture Range:	f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f.5.6 - 22 (tele)	f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 34 (T)
Integrated ND Filter:	No	No
Normal Focus Range:	30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity	25 cm to Infinity 9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:
Filter Thread:	52.0mm	49.0mm
Thread Type:	n/a	n/a
Optical Image Stabilization:	Yes	Yes
Digital Zoom:	Yes
Digital Zoom Values:	2x or 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: 25-area, Center, Flexible Spot (11x17 areas); with Face Detection
Auto Focus Assist Light?	Yes	Yes
Manual Focus:	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder:	EVF / LCD	LCD
Viewfinder Type:	EVF; 1,440K dots eq., 1.4x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor	(Optional FDA-SV1 optical viewfinder available with 16mm FOV)
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	No
Rear Display:	Yes	Yes
Rear Display Size (inches):	3.0	3.0
Rear Display Resolution:	460,000 dots	921,600 dots
Touchscreen:	Yes	No
Articulating Screen:	Yes	Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen:
Selfie Screen:
Max Playback Zoom:	16.0x	11.8x
Top Deck Display:	No	No

Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):
Minimum ISO (native):
ISO Settings:	Auto, 160-6400 Intelligent ISO	Auto, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 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, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500 – 9900K with 19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range:	1/4000 - 60 sec	1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode:	Yes	Yes
Exposure Compensation:	+/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes:	144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot	49-zone Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
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	Portrait, Landscape, Macro,Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night View, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), 2D/3D Sweep Panorama
Self Timer:	2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds	2, 10; 3 or 5 after 10 sec seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):
High Resolution Composite:	No	No
Flash
Built-in Flash:	Yes	No
Flash Modes:	Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off	Autoflash, Fill-flash, Rear sync., Slow sync., Red-eye reduction
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100):	8.3 m / 27.2 ft.	7.0 m / 23.0 ft.
Flash Range Description:	Lens dependent	Bundled flash has GN of 7m/ISO 100
Max Flash Sync:	1/160	1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps	+/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection:	Hot Shoe	Smart Accessory Terminal (flash is detachable)
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types:	SD / SDHC / SDXC	MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:
Other Memory:
Dual Card Slots:	No	No
RAW Capture Support:	Yes	Yes
Uncompressed Format:	RAW, RAW + JPEG	RAW (ARW 2.2), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:	AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG	MP4
Included Memory:	No memory included
Included Memory Type:
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi:	No	No
NFC:	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	No
Remote Control Type:	Optional DMW-RSL1 cable remote
Connections (extended):	Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm remote socket, combined AV/USB connector	Mini HDMI (Type C), Mic via Smart Accessory Terminal

Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution):	0.66	0.97
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):	0.67	0.94
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):
Camera penalizes early shutter press?	No	Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution):	3.4	5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution):	7	10
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid):	0.29 seconds	0.43 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):	0.30 seconds	0.42 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):
Shutter Lag (manual focus):	0.091 seconds	0.226 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):	0.57 seconds	0.71 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused):	0.080 seconds	0.114 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes):	Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.294s Quick AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.297s	Multi-area full AF lag: 0.456s
Startup Time:	1.4 seconds	1.2 seconds
Play -> Record Time:	0.8 seconds	0.8 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power:	5.5 seconds	2.6 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):	270 shots	400 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):
Battery Life, Video:
Battery Form Factor:	Proprietary	Proprietary NP-FW50
Usable Battery Types:	Lithium-ion rechargeable	Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included:	1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable	1 x Proprietary NP-FW50 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter):	Yes	Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software:	PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver	Software CD-ROM (includes Picture Motion Browser, Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR)
OS Compatibility:		Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
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.	720p HD Video, Picture Effects, Photo Creativity, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama, Smile Shutter, 5.5fps Full-res Burst Mode. Available in Silver, Black or Pink.