• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • APS-C 357.3mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 16,000

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Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Sony QX1

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Rear display
    Yes vs No
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Good
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • 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 540 vs 440 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 15 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 16000 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony QX1 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $400 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.
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,063 vs 812 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Thinner
    52 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    216g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

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

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

User reviews

Buy From

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.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen
Sony QX1
Panasonic G5
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Samsung NX2000

Panasonic GH3
Samsung NX2000
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Sony QX1
Samsung NX2000
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Less expensive
  • $680
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • Touchscreen

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
Sony QX1
Olympus E-M1
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Rear display
  • Lens selection

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Sony QX1
Panasonic GH4
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Rear display

Compared to Samsung NX3300

Panasonic GH3
Samsung NX3300
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $691
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
Sony QX1
Samsung NX3300
  • $498
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Lens selection
  • $691
  • APS-C
  • Rear display
  • In-camera panoramas
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