• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.0mm2
  • 14.8 megapixels
  • 75.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF1 advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 380 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    285g vs 400g
    Lighter weight
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    13 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Sigma DP3 Merrill advantages over Panasonic GF1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.00 vs 4.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    14.8 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Doesn't require an AA filter
    Yes vs No
    A unique sensor design provides sharp photos without moiré
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.0 fps vs 2.9 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

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P1

Panasonic GF1
Olympus E-P1
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher extended ISO
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Olympus E-P1
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GF2
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Bulb shutter
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GF3
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF3
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF3X
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF1
Panasonic GF5
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Hot shoe
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF5
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
Compare Other Cameras?