Panasonic G3 vs Olympus XZ-2

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Panasonic G3 vs Olympus XZ-2

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G3.

1/1.7 inch 43.3mm²
12.0 megapixels
28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Olympus XZ-2 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the XZ-2.

Succeeded by the Panasonic G5
Compare G3 vs G5
Compare Panasonic G5 vs Olympus XZ-2

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Differences

Panasonic G3 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

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 1.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
G3 test data on DxO Mark XZ-2 test data on DxO Mark

667 vs 216 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More pixels
16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Bigger JPEG buffer
7 vs 4 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Panasonic G3

Less expensive
$600 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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Integrated ND filter
Yes vs No
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
More dots on screen
920k 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
0.12 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
5.0 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
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Both provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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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Olympus XZ-2

Review Excerpt

Read our Panasonic G3 Full Review

Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.
Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.
Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express 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

Olympus XZ-2

Olympus E-M5

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$900
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Panasonic G3

Pentax MX-1

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$399
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2

Pentax MX-1

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
Hot shoe

$399
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

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

Olympus XZ-2

Panasonic GX7

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
Integrated ND filter

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic GX7

Compared to Canon G16

Panasonic G3

Canon G16

$700
4/3

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2

Canon G16

$470
1/1.7 inch

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

$499
1/1.7 inch

Focus peaking
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

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

Olympus XZ-2

Olympus E-M10

$470
1/1.7 inch

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$399
4/3

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Olympus E-M10

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