• 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 14.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Canon SX30 IS advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Canon SX30 IS

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.43 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 2.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 370 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    82 mm vs 107 mm
    Thinner
  • 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 dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.21 vs 0.58 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • 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
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 1.3 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Canon SX30 IS

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Buy the Panasonic GH3
Body Only
All GH3 Deals

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.

  • Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony HX100V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX100V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Integrated ND filter

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX100V

Panasonic GH3
Sony HX100V
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $312
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony HX100V

Compared to Canon SX40 HS

Canon SX30 IS
Canon SX40 HS
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Shoots 1080p video

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Canon SX40 HS

Panasonic GH3
Canon SX40 HS
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $342
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Canon SX40 HS

Compared to Sony HX200V

Canon SX30 IS
Sony HX200V
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Hot shoe
  • Wider angle lens
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Longer stills battery life

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Sony HX200V

Panasonic GH3
Sony HX200V
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $349
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony HX200V

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Canon SX30 IS
Olympus E-M1
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs 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

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Canon SX30 IS
Panasonic GH4
  • $440
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Canon SX30 IS vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

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