• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1.5 inch 233.8mm2
  • 13.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Canon G1X Mark II

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    812 vs 581 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.3 vs 10.8 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 240 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 13.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon G1X Mark II advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • NFC
    Yes vs No
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Higher-res screen
    346k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 24 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • Wider, longer, faster lens than predecessor, with good overall optical quality; Faster AF performance; Closer macro shooting; Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC with remote shooting; Decent JPEG burst performance; Excellent build quality.

  • Localized flare issue when wide open; No real net improvement in image quality over predecessor; Slow burst mode when shooting RAW files; Poor battery life; Video quality is so-so (not like Canon DSLRs).

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G1X Mark II
Olympus E-M1
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • NFC
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic GH4
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Panasonic LX100

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic LX100
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic LX100
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)

Panasonic GH3
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon G1X Mark II
Leica D-LUX (Typ 109)
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $875
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G7
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon G1X Mark II
Panasonic G7
  • $599
  • 1.5 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • NFC
  • $665
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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