- 4/3 224.9mm2
- 16.0 megapixels
- Go in depth with our full Panasonic G3 Review.
- See real-world photos taken with the G3.
| Links | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prices: | ||
| Manufacturer URL: | Manufacturer website | Manufacturer website |
| Predecessor: |
Panasonic G2
G2 vs G3 |
|
| Successor: |
Panasonic G5
G3 vs G5 |
|
| General | ||
| Model Number: | DSLR-A500 | G3 |
| Alternate Model Number(s): | ||
| Camera Format: | SLR | Compact System Camera |
| Currently Manufactured: | No | No |
| Retail Price: | $849.99 | $699.99 |
| Street Price: | ||
| Date Available: | 2009-10-08 | 2011-06-21 |
| Tripod Mount: | Yes | Yes |
| Weight: |
31.7 oz
(900 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
20.6 oz
(583 g)
includes batteries, kit lens |
| Size: |
5.4 x
4.1 x
3.3 in. (137 x 104 x 84 mm) |
4.5 x
3.3 x
1.8 in. (115 x 84 x 47 mm) |
| Waterproof: | No | No |
| Waterproof Depth: | n/a | n/a |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Sensor Type: | CMOS | Live MOS |
| Sensor Manufacturer: | Sony | Panasonic |
| Effective Megapixels: | 12.3 | 16.0 |
| Sensor Format: | APS-C | 4/3 |
| Sensor size: | 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) | 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) |
| Approximate Pixel Pitch: | 5.55 microns | 3.77 microns |
| Focal Length Multiplier: | 1.5x | 2.0x |
| Aspect Ratio: | 3:2, 16:9 | 4:3 |
| Color Filter Type: | RGBG | RGBG |
| Anti Aliasing Filter: | Fixed | Fixed |
| Self-Cleaning: | Yes | Yes |
| Sensor shift image stabilization: | Yes | No |
| On-Sensor Phase Detect: | No | No |
| DxO Sensor Score: | 64 | 56 |
| DxO Color Depth Score (bits): | 21.8 | 21.0 |
| DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): | 11.6 | 10.6 |
| DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): | 772 | 667 |
| Image Capture | ||
| Image Resolution: |
4272 x 2848
(12.2 MP,
3:2), 4272 x 2400 (10.3 MP, 16:9), 3104 x 2072 (6.4 MP, 3:2), 3104 x 1744 (5.4 MP, 16:9), 2128 x 1416 (3.0 MP, 3:2), 2188 x 1192 (2.6 MP, Other) |
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) |
| Image File Format: | JPEG, RAW | JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Continuous-mode frames/second: | 4.9 | 3.4 |
| Video Capture | ||
| Can take movies: | No | Yes |
| Movie Resolution: |
1920x1080 (60i/50i)
1280x720 (60/50/30) 640x480 (30) 320x240 (30) |
|
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG | |
| Composite Video Out: | No | Yes |
| NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: | n/a | Yes |
| Video Usable as Viewfinder: | n/a | No |
| HD Video Out: | Yes | Yes |
| HD Video Connection: | HDMI | HDMI |
| Lens & Optics | ||
| Lens Mount: | Sony Alpha (Minolta A) | Micro Four Thirds |
| Lens: | Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | Panasonic 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 ASPH Lumix G VARIO MEGA O.I.S |
| Focal Length (35mm equivalent): | 27 - 83mm | 28 - 84mm |
| Focal Length (actual): | 18 - 55mm | 14 - 42mm |
| Zoom Ratio: | 3.00x | 3.00x |
| Aperture Range: | f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) | f/3.5 - 22 (wide) / f.5.6 - 22 (tele) |
| Integrated ND Filter: | No | No |
| Normal Focus Range: |
30 cm to Infinity 11.8 in to Infinity |
|
| Macro Focus Range: | ||
| Filter Thread: | 55.0mm | 52.0mm |
| Thread Type: | n/a | n/a |
| Optical Image Stabilization: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom: | No | Yes |
| Digital Zoom Values: | n/a | 2x or 4x |
| Auto Focus | ||
| Auto Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Auto Focus Type: | 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes | 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) |
| Auto Focus Assist Light? | Yes | Yes |
| Manual Focus: | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | ||
| Viewfinder: | Optical / LCD | EVF / LCD |
| Viewfinder Type: | SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter | 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): | 0.53x | 0.70x |
| Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): | 0.80x | 1.40x |
| Display | ||
| Eye-level Viewfinder: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display: | Yes | Yes |
| Rear Display Size (inches): | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Rear Display Resolution: | 230,400 dots | 460,000 dots |
| Touchscreen: | No | Yes |
| Articulating Screen: | Yes | Yes |
| Tilt Swivel Screen: | ||
| Selfie Screen: | ||
| Max Playback Zoom: | 13.4x | 16.0x |
| Top Deck Display: | No | No |
| Exposure | ||
| Maximum ISO (native): | 12800 | |
| Minimum ISO (native): | 200 | |
| ISO Settings: | Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 | Auto, 160-6400 Intelligent ISO |
| Auto ISO Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| White Balance Settings: | Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom | Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Halogen, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps) |
| Shutter Speed Range: | 1/4000 - 30 sec | 1/4000 - 60 sec |
| Bulb Mode: | Yes | Yes |
| Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps |
| Metering Modes: | 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) | 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot |
| Program Auto Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Aperture Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Shutter Priority: | Yes | Yes |
| Full Manual Exposure: | Yes | Yes |
| Creative Exposure Modes: | Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View | Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects,,Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illiminatioms, Baby 1, 2, Pet, Party, Sunset |
| Self Timer: | 2 or 10 seconds | 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds |
| Time Lapse (intervalometer): | ||
| High Resolution Composite: | No | No |
| Flash | ||
| Built-in Flash: | Yes | Yes |
| Flash Modes: | Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off |
| Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): | 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. | 8.3 m / 27.2 ft. |
| Flash Range Description: | Lens dependent | Lens dependent |
| Max Flash Sync: | 1/160 | 1/160 |
| Flash Exposure Compensation: | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps | +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps |
| External Flash Connection: | Hot shoe | Hot Shoe |
| Built-In Wireless Flash Control: | Full TTL exposure | |
| Image Storage | ||
| Usable Memory Types: | MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| UHS Support: | ||
| Other Memory: | ||
| Dual Card Slots: | No | No |
| RAW Capture Support: | Yes | Yes |
| Uncompressed Format: | RAW | RAW, RAW + JPEG |
| Movie File Format: | AVCHD (H.264), MotionJPEG | |
| Included Memory: | No memory included | |
| Included Memory Type: | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Built-In Wi-Fi: | No | No |
| NFC: | 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 | Yes |
| DPOF Compliant: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control: | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control Type: | Optional Wireless or Wired | Optional DMW-RSL1 cable remote |
| Connections (extended): | DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote | 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): | 0.48 | 0.66 |
| Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): | 0.47 | 0.67 |
| Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): | 9 | 9 |
| Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): | ||
| Camera penalizes early shutter press? | No | No |
| JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): | 4.9 | 3.4 |
| Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): | 5 | 7 |
| 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): | 0.18 seconds | 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): | 0.182 seconds | 0.091 seconds |
| Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): | 0.21 seconds | 0.57 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (prefocused): | 0.074 seconds | 0.080 seconds |
| Shutter Lag (notes): | Quick AF Live View: Center AF: 0.180s Wide-area AF: 0.181s | Full Autofocus lag: Multi-area AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.294s Quick AF mode, Wide Angle = 0.297s |
| Startup Time: | 0.5 seconds | 1.4 seconds |
| Play -> Record Time: | 0.3 seconds | 0.8 seconds |
| Flash cycle time, full power: | 3.4 seconds | 5.5 seconds |
| Power | ||
| Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): | 270 shots | |
| Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): | 1000 shots | |
| Battery Life, Video: | ||
| Battery Form Factor: | Proprietary NP-FM500H | Proprietary |
| Usable Battery Types: | Lithium-ion rechargeable | Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Batteries Included: | 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H | 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable |
| Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated Battery Charger Included: | ||
| Internal Charging Supported: | ||
| Software | ||
| Included Software: | Software/USB Driver CD-ROM | PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.2 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver |
| OS Compatibility: | Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+) | |
| Miscellaneous | ||
| Notes & Features: | Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output. | 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. |
