• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 35.00mm - 105.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Canon SD790 IS advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Less expensive
    $350 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
    20 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/500 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Canon SD790 IS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.69 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
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.31 vs 0.48 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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 JPEG shooting
    3.5 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/1500 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

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • 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
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • 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 Canon SD770 IS

Canon SD790 IS
Canon SD770 IS
  • $201
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less shutter lag
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $212
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Canon SD790 IS vs Canon SD770 IS

Panasonic GF3
Canon SD770 IS
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $212
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Canon SD770 IS

Compared to Canon SD880 IS

Canon SD790 IS
Canon SD880 IS
  • $201
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Canon SD790 IS vs Canon SD880 IS

Panasonic GF3
Canon SD880 IS
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Canon SD880 IS

Compared to Pentax E70

Canon SD790 IS
Pentax E70
  • $201
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More dots on screen
  • Longer exposure
  • $140
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SD790 IS vs Pentax E70

Panasonic GF3
Pentax E70
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $140
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax E70

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Canon SD790 IS
Panasonic GF2
  • $201
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD790 IS 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 SD790 IS
Panasonic GF3X
  • $201
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon SD790 IS vs Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF3X

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