• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Panasonic GX1 advantages over Sony A3000

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 2.2 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    39 mm vs 84 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Lighter weight
    420g vs 616g
    Lighter weight
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 11 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Sony A3000 advantages over Panasonic GX1

  • Less expensive
    $400 vs $950 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Better color depth
    23.7 vs 20.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,068 vs 703 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    12.8 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 470 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Appealing design; Good grip; Very good image quality; Fast autofocus; Built-in Level Gauge.

  • Small rear buttons; Below-average battery life; Weak flash; Orange and yellow can have greenish cast in JPEGs; Shutter-induced motion blur with 14-42mm X Vario kit lens.

  • Absolutely incredible value; Includes a stabilized kit lens; More versatile than a fixed-lens bridge camera; Comfortable body with good ergonomics; Great image quality; Good autofocus performance; Decent battery life.

  • Feels a bit plasticky; Slow burst shooting with limited buffer; Sluggish to power on or switch modes; Low-res EVF and LCD monitor; Can't review images using EVF; No video output; Weak flash; Battery charges in-camera.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-P3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-P3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Fast startup
Sony A3000
Olympus E-P3
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $561
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GX1
Olympus E-PL3
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A3000
Olympus E-PL3
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Pentax K-01

Panasonic GX1
Pentax K-01
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Sony A3000
Pentax K-01
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compared to Panasonic GF6

Panasonic GX1
Panasonic GF6
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Sony A3000
Panasonic GF6
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Sigma sd Quattro

Panasonic GX1
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $950
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Internal flash
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Sony A3000
Sigma sd Quattro
  • $500
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • HDMI out
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