• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 25,600
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A6500
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic GF2
GF2 vs GF3
Sony A6300
A6300 vs A6500
Successor: Panasonic GF5
GF3 vs GF5
Sony A6600
A6500 vs A6600
General
Model Number: GF3 A6500
Alternate Model Number(s):   ILCE-6500
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No Yes
Retail Price: $699.99 $1299.99
Street Price: $675.49 $1,198.00
Date Available: 2011-07-30 2016-11-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 11.3 oz (320 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
16.0 oz (453 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in.
(108 x 67 x 33 mm)
4.7 x 2.6 x 2.1 in.
(120 x 67 x 53 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 24.2
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 366.6mm2 (23.50mm x 15.60mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.33 microns 3.92 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 Yes
DxO Sensor Score: 49 85
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.6 24.5
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.0 13.7
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 458 1,405
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)
6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
4240 x 2832 (12.0 MP, 3:2),
4240 x 2400 (10.2 MP, Other),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 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)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF v2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 11.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i (sensor output is 30p/​25p))
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, Motion JPEG XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
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 E
Lens: Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 ASPH LUMIX G, 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28mm  
Focal Length (actual): 14mm  
Zoom Ratio: 1.00x  
Aperture Range: f/2.5 - f/22  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 18 cm to Infinity
7.1 in to Infinity
 
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 46.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast detection with Face detect, AF tracking, 23-area, 1 area, Pinpoint Hybrid Contrast/Phase Detection: Wide (425 points phase-detection AF, 169 points contrast-detection AF), Zone, Center, Flexible Spot (Small / Medium / Large), Expanded Flexible Spot
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD EVF / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   EVF type; 1.0cm (0.39-inch) 2.3M-dot XGA OLED, 100% coverage, 1.07x mag. (0.70x 35mm eq.), 23mm eyepoint, -4 to +3 diopter
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a 2,359,296 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.70x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   1.07x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: Yes Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 16.7x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   25600
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 160-6400; Intelligent ISO Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800, 25600, expandable to 51200
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent , Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, Color Temperature Setting Auto WB (with new Ambience, Standard and White options), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm white/Cool white/Day white/Daylight), Flash, C. Temp 2500 to 9900K, C Filter G7 to M7 (15-step), Custom, Underwater; AWB micro adjustment
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/4000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV 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 Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports Action, Sunset, Night Portrait, Night Scene, Hand-held Twilight, Anti Motion Blur, HDR, Sweep Panorama, Movie/High Frame Rate
Self Timer: 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds 2 , 10, 10 (3 or 5 frames) 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, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 5.0 m / 16.4 ft. 6.0 m / 19.7 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Guide Number is 6m/19.7 ft at ISO 100; Range is lens aperture dependent
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation:   +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Multi Interface Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW+JPEG RAW (14-bit compressed ARW 2.3), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, Motion JPEG XAVC S / AVCHD format Ver. 2.0 compliant / MP4; Audio: LPCM, 2ch / Dolby Digital (AC-3), 2ch, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, 2ch
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No Yes
Bluetooth: No Yes
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,Bluetooth,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional wired, IR or Wi-FI
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C) Micro (Type-D) HDMI, Multi Interface Shoe, Multi Micro USB
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.65 0.62
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.65  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.59
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 11.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 20 231
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   110
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   11.1
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   101
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.31 seconds 0.18 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 0.127 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.51 seconds 0.29 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.081 seconds 0.019 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): 23-area AF lag: 0.310s  
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds 1.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds 0.9 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 5.0 seconds 3.0 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 340 shots 350 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   310 shots
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary 7.2v 1010mAh 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 No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes
Software
Included Software: PhotofunStudio 6.2 HD, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver Free downloads of Image Data Converter (Win only), Capture One Express (for Sony)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
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.