Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic GF3

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Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic GF3

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1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
12.1 megapixels
24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Canon ELPH 300 HS Review.
See real-world photos taken with the ELPH 300 HS.

4/3 224.9mm²
12.1 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GF3.

Succeeded by the Canon 310 HS
Compare ELPH 300 HS vs 310 HS

Succeeded by the Panasonic GF5
Compare GF3 vs GF5

Compare CANON 310 HS vs PANASONIC GF5

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Differences

Canon ELPH 300 HS advantages over Panasonic GF3

Less expensive
$250 vs $700 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Thinner
19 mm vs 32 mm
Thinner
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 1080p video
Yes vs No
You'll want this if you shoot video
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Canon ELPH 300 HS

Larger sensor
4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.33 vs 1.54 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
RAW file ability
Yes vs No
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

340 vs 220 shots
Capture more photos
Manual focus
Yes vs No
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
More dots on screen
460k vs 230k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.31 vs 0.54 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 15 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
6400 vs 3200 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
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Neither provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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
Hot shoe
Neither provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Neither provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

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Buy the Canon ELPH 300 HS

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Buy the Panasonic GF3

Review Excerpt

Read our Canon ELPH 300 HS Express Review

Small, solid, light body; Good image quality; 14mm kit lens is of good quality and very small; Very fast autofocus; Excellent selection of lenses; Very fun to shoot with.
Small controls; Touchscreen interface might not be for everyone; Weak flash; Does not work with most accessories from previous models; JPEG image quality falls short of third-generation competition.
Read our Panasonic GF3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
HDMI out

$259
1/2.33 inch

Longer stills battery life
Longer exposure

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Panasonic GF3

Panasonic DMC-FX48S

$675
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$259
1/2.33 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic DMC-FX48S

Compared to Canon SD980 IS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon SD980 IS

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 24p video

$249
1/2.3 inch

Faster shutter

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon SD980 IS

Panasonic GF3

Canon SD980 IS

$675
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$249
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Canon SD980 IS

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Panasonic GF2

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$617
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF2

$675
4/3

Touchscreen
Faster JPEG shooting

$617
4/3

Tiltable Screen
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Panasonic GF3X

$235
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3

Panasonic GF3X

$675
4/3

$750
4/3

More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Canon 320 HS

Canon ELPH 300 HS

Canon 320 HS

$235
1/2.3 inch

Bigger pixels
Longer stills battery life

$231
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Wi-Fi
More dots on screen

Compare Canon ELPH 300 HS vs Canon 320 HS

Panasonic GF3

Canon 320 HS

$675
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$231
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Canon 320 HS

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