• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 560.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3
  • Pentax Optio VS20
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic G2
G2 vs G3
 
Successor: Panasonic G5
G3 vs G5
 
General
Model Number: G3 VS20
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.99 $249.95
Street Price:   $105.84
Date Available: 2011-06-21 2012-02-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 20.6 oz (583 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
8.3 oz (235 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 1.8 in.
(115 x 84 x 47 mm)
4.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 in.
(112 x 61 x 38 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic  
Effective Megapixels: 16.0 16.0
Sensor Format: 4/3 1/2.33 inch
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 28.198mm2 (6.13mm x 4.6mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 3.77 microns 1.33 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG  
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 56  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.0  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.6  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 667  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3448 (15.8 MP, 4:3),
4576 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4576 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3424 x 3424 (11.7 MP, 1:1),
3232 x 2424 (7.8 MP, 4:3),
3232 x 2160 (7.0 MP, 3:2),
3232 x 1824 (5.9 MP, Other),
2416 x 2416 (5.8 MP, 1:1),
2272 x 1704 (3.9 MP, 4:3),
2272 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3)
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.4 1.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i)
1280x720 (60/​50/​30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1280x720 (30p/​15p)
640x480 (30p/​15p)
320x240 (30p/​15p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG AVI (Motion JPG)
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds n/a
Lens: Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lumix G VARIO MEGA O.I.S smc PENTAX zoom lens, 11 elements, 8 groups, 1 aspheric element
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28 - 84mm 28 - 560mm
Focal Length (actual): 14 - 42mm 5 - 100mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 20.00x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f.5.6 - 22 (tele) f/3.1 (wide) / f4.8 (tele) - ???
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 30 cm to Infinity
11.8 in to Infinity
40 cm to Infinity
15.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 - 20 cm
0.4 - 7.9 in
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: Yes No
Digital Zoom: Yes Yes
Digital Zoom Values: 2x or 4x 7.2x
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint Touch (1- area-focusing in Face detection, AF Tracking, Multi-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint) Contrast Detection: 93 point AF, Spot AF, Auto Tracking AF, Macro, Super Macro, Infinity Landscape, Manual Focus
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF; 1,440K dots eq., 1.4x mag., 17.5mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor  
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution:   n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.70x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 1.40x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 10.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):    
Minimum ISO (native):    
ISO Settings: Auto, 160-6400 Intelligent ISO Auto: 100-1600 (auto range adjustable), Digital SR 100-6400, Manual: 100-6400
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) Auto, Daylight, Shade, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Manual
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/2500 - 4 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot Multi
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes No
Shutter Priority: Yes No
Full Manual Exposure: Yes No
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects,,Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illiminatioms, Baby 1, 2, Pet, Party, Sunset Natural Skin Tone, Handheld Night Snap (5M), Night Scene Portrait, Night Scene, Digital Panorama (2M per frame), Landscape, Blue Sky, Sunset, Flower, Digital SR (ISO 3200-6400 5M), Kids, Pet, Portrait, Food, Fireworks, Surf & Snow, Sport, Fisheye, Sketch, Miniature Filter, Text, Frame Composite (3M)
Self Timer: 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds 10s, 2s, Remote 3s seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, Flash Off, Flash On, Auto + Redeye, On + Redeye
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 8.3 m / 27.2 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent 17 feet (wide, auto ISO), 11 feet (tele, auto ISO)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe n/a
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:    
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes No
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW + JPEG  
Movie File Format: AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG AVI (Motion JPG)
Included Memory: No memory included 16.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   Internal
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional DMW-RSL1 cable remote Optional infrared
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm remote socket, combined AV/USB connector  
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.66  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.67  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 9  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.4 1.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 7 6
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.29 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele): 0.30 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.091 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.57 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.080 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.294s Quick AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.297s  
Startup Time: 1.4 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.8 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 5.5 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 270 shots 200 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):    
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary D-LI122
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x Proprietary D-LI122 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver Software CD-ROM S-SW122
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: 16-megapixel Sensor, Improved High ISO IQ, Faster AF, Metal Body, 1920x1080 HD Movies, Articulating Touch-screen LCD, 2.5mm Remote Socket, Mini HDMI Type-C Connector. Available in black, brown, red or white. Sensor-shift image stabilization, Dual shutter release/zoom buttons, 720p HD movies, Optional IR remote, Digital level. Available in Noble Black or Brilliant White.