• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200

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Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Nikon J1

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 3.41 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Higher effective ISO
    458 vs 372 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 230 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/160 vs 1/60 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 12 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon J1 advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Fast startup
    ~1.40 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More dynamic range
    11.0 vs 10.0 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Yes vs No
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • More telephoto lens reach
    81 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.09 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    57.9 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/16000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Neither provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Nikon J1

Review Excerpt

  • Small, solid, light body; Good image quality; 14mm kit lens is of good quality and very small; Very fast autofocus; Excellent selection of lenses; Very fun to shoot with.

  • Small controls; Touchscreen interface might not be for everyone; Weak flash; Does not work with most accessories from previous models; JPEG image quality falls short of third-generation competition.

  • Very small body, with solid feel; Fast AF; No-nonsense interface. Excellent video capture, Good picture quality.

  • Body could be smaller for sensor size; High ISO isn't as good as other compact system cameras; Battery life below average; Weak flash; Confusing controls.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
Nikon J1
Panasonic GF2
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
Nikon J1
Panasonic GF3X
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF5
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Nikon J1
Panasonic GF5
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Nikon J2

Panasonic GF3
Nikon J2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • On-sensor phase detect
Nikon J1
Nikon J2
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • $550
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Nikon J3

Panasonic GF3
Nikon J3
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More dynamic range
Nikon J1
Nikon J3
  • $500
  • 1 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • $617
  • 1 inch
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dots on screen
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