• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
  • Sony Alpha SLT-A37
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic GF2
GF2 vs GF3
 
Successor: Panasonic GF5
GF3 vs GF5
 
General
Model Number: GF3 A37
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.99 $599.99
Street Price: $675.49  
Date Available: 2011-07-30 2012-06-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 11.3 oz (320 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
25.6 oz (726 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in.
(108 x 67 x 33 mm)
4.9 x 3.6 x 3.3 in.
(124 x 92 x 85 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.1
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.33 microns 4.82 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 49 75
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.6 23.3
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.0 12.9
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 458 799
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1504 x 1504 (2.3 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1600 x 904 (1.4 MP, Other),
1440 x 1440 (2.1 MP, 1:1)
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),
5536 x 2160 (12.0 MP, Other),
8192 x 1856 (15.2 MP, Other),
3872 x 2160 (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 (EXIF v2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW+JPEG JPEG, MPO, RAW (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 5.5
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i (sensor output is 30p/​25p))
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (60i(FH)/​24p(FX)/​24p(FH))
1440x1080 (30p)
640x480 (30p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Composite Video Out: Yes No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: No 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 Alpha (Minolta A)
Lens: Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 ASPH LUMIX G, 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 14mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 1.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/2.5 - f/22 f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 36 (T)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 18 cm to Infinity
7.1 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 46.0mm 55.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 2x Precision, Up to 2x Clear Image Zoom, 1.4x (8.4MP) or 2.0x (4MP) Smart Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast detection with Face detect, AF tracking, 23-area, 1 area, Pinpoint Phase Detection: 15 points (3 points cross type); Wide (auto, 15 points), Zone, Spot, Local; Enhanced Object Tracking
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   EVF type; 1.1cm (0.43") 1.15M-dot LCD (380K-dot time-multiplexed RGB), 100% coverage, 1.1x magnification, 19mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a  
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.73x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.10x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 2.6
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 230,400 dots (76,800 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 11.8x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   16000
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 160-6400; Intelligent ISO Auto (100-3200), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 16000; (Multi-frame NR mode up to ISO 25600)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent , Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, Color Temperature Setting Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm, Cool, Day, Daylight), Flash, Custom, Color Temp/Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot 1200-zone Evaluative, 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 Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Portrait, SportsAction, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Hand-held Twilight (6 shot layering), Night Portrait, Picture Effect (Posterization (color/B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal/Cool), Soft High-key, Soft Focus (Hi/Mid/Lo), HDR Painting (Hi/Mid/Lo), Miniature (7 Settings))
Self Timer: 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds 2 or 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Off, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 5.0 m / 16.4 ft. 10.0 m / 32.8 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Lens dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot shoe
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 (12-bit ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, Motion JPEG AVCHD 1.0/MP4 (Audio: Dolby Digital (AC-3)/MPEG-4 AAC-LC)
Included Memory: No memory included  
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
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: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wired (RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM)
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C) Type-C Mini HDMI (BRAVIA Sync, PhotoTV HD); Wired Remote Terminal, 3.5mm External Stereo Micophone Jack, DC Input
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.65 0.47
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.65 0.45
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7 2
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 5.5
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 20 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): 0.31 seconds 0.11 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.094 seconds 0.080 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.51 seconds 0.32 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.081 seconds 0.057 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): 23-area AF lag: 0.310s Full AF lag, Wide-area mode = 0.124s
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 0.9 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 5.0 seconds 2.5 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 340 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   450 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary 7.2v 1010mAh Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable NP-FW50 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, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver Sony Software CD-ROM
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS Windows XP SP3/Vista SP2/7, Mac OS X (v.10.3 +)
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Most compact CSC from Panasonic yet; 460K-dot touch-screen LCD, 1920x1080@60i and 1280x720@60p HD movies. Available in black, white, red, pink, and brown. SteadyShot INSIDE Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (up to 4 EV correction), Full HD 1080i60 Video, Up to 7 fps Burst Mode (Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE), Enhanced Object Tracking AF, 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom, Auto Portrait Framing.