• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800

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Differences

Sony DSLR-A500 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Less expensive
    $850 vs $1300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.55 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.50 vs 0.8 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 1000 vs 540 shots
    Capture more photos

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Sony DSLR-A500

  • 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
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.67x vs 0.53x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • 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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 4.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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

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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

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K20D

Sony DSLR-A500
Pentax K20D
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Top deck display

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Pentax K20D

Panasonic GH3
Pentax K20D
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K20D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • More dots on screen
  • More pixels

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Panasonic GH3
Sony DSLR-A550
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $859
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony DSLR-A550

Compared to Sony DSLR-A560

Sony DSLR-A500
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • In-camera panoramas
  • More cross-type AF points

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Panasonic GH3
Sony DSLR-A560
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection
  • $750
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Sony DSLR-A560

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Sony DSLR-A500
Olympus E-M1
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs 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

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Sony DSLR-A500
Panasonic GH4
  • $850
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Sony DSLR-A500 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

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