• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic G3 advantages over Canon S120

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 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 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    667 vs 246 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Canon S120 advantages over Panasonic G3

  • Less expensive
    $450 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More dynamic range
    11.9 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 46 mm
    Thinner
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 3.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • 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

Common Weaknesses

  • 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
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3
Olympus E-M5
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon S120
Olympus E-M5
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm XF1

Panasonic G3
Fujifilm XF1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S120
Fujifilm XF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3
Panasonic GX7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S120
Panasonic GX7
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Panasonic G3
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor

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
Canon S120
Olympus E-M10
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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