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

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Sigma DP3 Merrill

  • Less expensive
    $700 vs $1000 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 97 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 80 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • 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
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 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 GF3

  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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.

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Small, solid, light body; Good image quality; 14mm kit lens is of good quality and very small; Very fast autofocus; Excellent selection of lenses; Very fun to shoot with.

  • Small controls; Touchscreen interface might not be for everyone; Weak flash; Does not work with most accessories from previous models; JPEG image quality falls short of third-generation competition.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P1

Panasonic GF3
Olympus E-P1
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $800
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective 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 GF1

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

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF2
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF3X
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF5
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Sigma DP3 Merrill
Panasonic GF5
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $430
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Longer stills battery life
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