Panasonic GH3 vs Fujifilm X-A1

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Panasonic GH3 vs Fujifilm X-A1

Leave Feedback

4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GH3.

APS-C 368.2mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 6400

Go in depth with our full Fujifilm X-A1 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the X-A1.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH4
Compare GH3 vs GH4

Succeeded by the Fujifilm X-A2
Compare X-A1 vs X-A2

Compare PANASONIC GH4 vs FUJIFILM X-A2

Buy From

Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Fujifilm X-A1

Lens selection
Excellent vs Good
Better lens selection gives you more options
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

540 vs 350 shots
Capture more photos
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 30 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Fujifilm X-A1 advantages over Panasonic GH3

Less expensive
$600 vs $1300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.82 vs 3.75 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Thinner
39 mm vs 82 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
330g vs 555g
Lighter weight
Higher-res screen
307k vs 205k pixels
More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition

Similarities

Common Strengths

Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
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

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
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
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GH3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read X-A1 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH3

Body Only

All GH3 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Fujifilm X-A1

Kit with 16-50mm Lens

Review Excerpt

Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.
Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Fujifilm X-A1, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
See our Fujifilm X-A1 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3

Panasonic G5

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

$500
4/3

Less expensive
Higher-res screen

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G5

Fujifilm X-A1

Panasonic G5

$450
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$500
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Sony NEX-3N

Panasonic GH3

Sony NEX-3N

$798
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$449
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony NEX-3N

Fujifilm X-A1

Sony NEX-3N

$450
APS-C

Built-in Wi-Fi
Higher-res screen

$449
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-3N

Compared to Sony NEX-5T

Panasonic GH3

Sony NEX-5T

$798
4/3

Lens selection
Tilt-swivel screen

$299
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony NEX-5T

Fujifilm X-A1

Sony NEX-5T

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Internal flash

$299
APS-C

Touchscreen
In-camera panoramas

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Sony NEX-5T

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3

Olympus E-M1

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Longer stills battery life

$1099
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Fujifilm X-A1

Olympus E-M1

$450
APS-C

Less expensive
Larger sensor

$1099
4/3

Lens selection
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

$798
4/3

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

Fujifilm X-A1

Panasonic GH4

$450
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

Compare Fujifilm X-A1 vs Panasonic GH4

Compare Other Cameras?