• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic G3 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Less shutter lag
    0.29 vs 0.70 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Canon G1X advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Larger sensor
    1.5 inch vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 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
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic G3

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Buy the Canon G1X

Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

  • Read our Canon G1X Review

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Canon G1X
Olympus E-M5
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup

Compare Canon G1X vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Panasonic G3
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Canon G1X vs Sigma DP1 Merrill

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

Canon G1X
Panasonic GX7
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon G1X vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Olympus E-M10

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M10
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • Shoots 60p video
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M10

Canon G1X
Olympus E-M10
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Canon G1X vs Olympus E-M10

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Panasonic G3
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Canon G1X Mark III

Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon G1X vs Canon G1X Mark III

Compare Other Cameras?