• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Canon S120

  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.80 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    812 vs 246 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 230 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
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    5.1 fps vs 1.9 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2500 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Canon S120 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Less expensive
    $450 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
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    29 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    217g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • Higher-res screen
    307k vs 205k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • Longer exposure
    250 vs 60 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    11.8 fps vs 6.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    Unlimited vs 24 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • 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

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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

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Buy the Panasonic GH3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Canon S120

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 Fujifilm XF1

Panasonic GH3
Fujifilm XF1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
Canon S120
Fujifilm XF1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen
  • $460
  • 2/3 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Canon S120
Olympus E-M1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Fujifilm XQ1

Panasonic GH3
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
Canon S120
Fujifilm XQ1
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $699
  • 2/3 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon S120
Panasonic GH4
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $998
  • 4/3
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G7
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $623
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Canon S120
Panasonic G7
  • $449
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $623
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
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