• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 100.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Olympus TG-5

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.54 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus TG-5 advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Waterproof
    Yes vs No
    Take photos underwater without destroying your camera!
  • 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
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 1.9 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Newer
    7 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.31 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 3.5 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
  • 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

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

User reviews

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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.

  • Read our Panasonic GF3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF2

Olympus TG-5
Panasonic GF2
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Olympus TG-5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Waterproof
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF5
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF5

Olympus TG-5
Panasonic GF5
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Olympus TG-4

Panasonic GF3
Olympus TG-4
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus TG-4

Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-4
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion
  • $379
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-4

Compared to Olympus TG-6

Panasonic GF3
Olympus TG-6
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $466
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Waterproof
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Olympus TG-6

Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-6
  • $399
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • $466
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Fast startup
  • More dots on screen

Compare Olympus TG-5 vs Olympus TG-6

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