• 1/2.5 inch 24.7mm2
  • 8.1 megapixels
  • 38.00mm - 114.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Samsung S860 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Less expensive
    $179 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner

Panasonic G3 advantages over Samsung S860

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.5 inch
    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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.77 vs 1.76 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 8.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Samsung S760

Samsung S860
Samsung S760
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
Panasonic G3
Samsung S760
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $169
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Sony DSC-S780

Samsung S860
Sony DSC-S780
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Manual focus
Panasonic G3
Sony DSC-S780
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $180
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Pentax E50

Samsung S860
Pentax E50
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus
Panasonic G3
Pentax E50
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $150
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Samsung S860
Olympus E-M5
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Samsung S860
Panasonic GX7
  • $179
  • 1/2.5 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
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