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Panasonic GX80 vs Nikon D3

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 (called Panasonic GX85 in some regions) and the Nikon D3 are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in April 2016 and August 2007. The GX80 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, while the D3 is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a Four Thirds (GX80) and a full frame (D3) sensor. The Panasonic has a resolution of 15.8 megapixels, whereas the Nikon provides 12.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Panasonic GX80
versus
Nikon D3
Panasonic GX80   Nikon D3
Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
Micro Four Thirds lenses Nikon F mount lenses
15.8 MP – Four Thirds sensor 12.1 MP – Full Frame sensor
4K/30p Video no Video
ISO 200-25,600 ISO 200-6,400 (100 - 25,600)
Electronic viewfinder (2765k dots) Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 1040k dots 3.0" LCD – 922k dots
Tilting touchscreen Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
8 shutter flaps per second 11 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
290 shots per battery charge4300 shots per battery charge
122 x 71 x 44 mm, 426 g 160 x 157 x 88 mm, 1300 g
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 and the Nikon D3? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

The physical size and weight of the Panasonic GX80 and the Nikon D3 are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are available. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The GX80 can be obtained in two different colors (black, silver), while the D3 is only available in black.

Size Panasonic GX80 vs Nikon D3
Compare GX80 versus D3 top
Comparison GX80 or D3 rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Nikon D3 is considerably larger (190 percent) than the Panasonic GX80. Moreover, the D3 is substantially heavier (205 percent) than the GX80. It is noteworthy in this context that the D3 is splash and dust-proof, while the GX80 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete since they do not consider the interchangeable lenses that both of these cameras require. A larger imaging sensor will tend to go along with bigger and heavier lenses, although exceptions exist. You can compare the optics available for the two cameras in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog (GX80) and the Nikon Lens Catalog (D3). Mirrorless cameras, such as the Panasonic GX80, have moreover the advantage that they have a relatively short flange to focal plane distance and can thus use many lenses from other systems via adapters.

Concerning battery life, the GX80 gets 290 shots out of its Panasonic DMW-BLG10 battery, while the D3 can take 4300 images on a single charge of its Nikon EN-EL4a power pack. As can be seen in the images above, the D3 has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power. The power pack in the GX80 can be charged via the USB port, so that it is not always necessary to take the battery charger along when travelling.

The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
  empty Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GX80 122 mm 71 mm 44 mm 426 g 290 n Apr 2016 799 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D3 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1300 g 4300 Y Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III 156 mm 157 mm 80 mm 1155 g 2200 Y Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3S 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1240 g 4200 Y Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D3X 160 mm 157 mm 88 mm 1260 g 4400 Y Dec 2008 7,999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D4 160 mm 157 mm 91 mm 1340 g 2600 Y Jan 2012 5,999ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700 147 mm 123 mm 77 mm 1074 g 1000 Y Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-M5 II 124 mm 85 mm 45 mm 469 g 310 Y Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 119 mm 82 mm 46 mm 396 g 320 n Jan 2014 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-M10 II 120 mm 83 mm 47 mm 390 g 320 n Aug 2015 649ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 III 122 mm 84 mm 50 mm 410 g 330 n Aug 2017 649ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus PEN-F 125 mm 72 mm 37 mm 427 g 330 n Jan 2016 1,199ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic G7 125 mm 86 mm 77 mm 410 g 350 n May 2015 649ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G80 128 mm 89 mm 74 mm 505 g 330 Y Sep 2016 899ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH2 124 mm 90 mm 76 mm 442 g 330 n Sep 2010 899ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic GX7 123 mm 71 mm 55 mm 402 g 350 n Aug 2013 999ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GX9 124 mm 72 mm 47 mm 407 g 260 n Feb 2018 849ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.

Any camera decision will obviously take relative prices into account. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The GX80 was launched at a markedly lower price (by 84 percent) than the D3, which puts it into a different market segment. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Panasonic GX80 features a Four Thirds sensor and the Nikon D3 a full frame sensor. The sensor area in the D3 is 282 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 2.0 and 1.0. The sensor in the GX80 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the D3 offers a 3:2 aspect.

Panasonic GX80 and Nikon D3 sensor measures

Despite having a smaller sensor, the Panasonic GX80 offers a higher resolution of 15.8 megapixels, compared with 12.1 MP of the Nikon D3. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 3.77μm versus 8.43μm for the D3). However, it should be noted that the GX80 is much more recent (by 8 years and 7 months) than the D3, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the GX80 has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic GX80 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the GX80 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 23 x 17.2 inches or 58.3 x 43.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 18.4 x 13.8 inches or 46.7 x 35 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 15.3 x 11.5 inches or 38.9 x 29.2 cm. The corresponding values for the Nikon D3 are 21.3 x 14.2 inches or 54.1 x 36 cm for good quality, 17 x 11.3 inches or 43.2 x 28.8 cm for very good quality, and 14.2 x 9.4 inches or 36 x 24 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 200 to ISO 25600, which can be extended to ISO 100-25600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Nikon D3 are ISO 200 to ISO 6400, with the possibility to increase the ISO range to 100-25600.

Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

GX80 versus D3 MP

For many cameras, data on sensor performance has been reported by DXO Mark. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the D3 has a markedly higher DXO score than the GX80 (overall score 10 points higher), which will translate into better image quality. The advantage is based on 0.6 bits higher color depth, 0.4 EV of lower dynamic range, and 1.8 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The adjacent table reports on the physical sensor characteristics and the outcomes of the DXO sensor quality tests for a sample of comparator-cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
  empty Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Panasonic GX80 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.912.666271
2.
 
Nikon D3 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2229081
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III APS-H 10.1 3888 2592none22.711.7107871
4.
 
Nikon D3S Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832720/24p23.512.0325382
5.
 
Nikon D3X Full Frame 24.4 6048 4032none24.713.7199288
6.
 
Nikon D4 Full Frame 16.2 4928 32801080/30p24.713.1296589
7.
 
Nikon D700 Full Frame 12.1 4256 2832none23.512.2230380
8.
 
Olympus E-M5 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.012.584273
9.
 
Olympus E-M10 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.812.388472
10.
 
Olympus E-M10 II Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60p23.112.584273
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 III Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34564K/30p23.112.8112074
12.
 
Olympus PEN-F Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38881080/60p23.112.489474
13.
 
Panasonic G7 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.490471
14.
 
Panasonic G80 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34484K/30p22.812.565671
15.
 
Panasonic GH2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/60i21.211.365560
16.
 
Panasonic GX7 Four Thirds 15.8 4592 34481080/60p22.612.271870
17.
 
Panasonic GX9 Four Thirds 20.2 5184 38884K/30p23.112.8116374
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The GX80 indeed provides movie recording capabilities, while the D3 does not. The highest resolution format that the GX80 can use is 4K/30p.

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Feature comparison

Beyond body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the GX80 has an electronic viewfinder (2765k dots), while the D3 has an optical one. Both systems have their advantages, with the electronic viewfinder making it possible to project supplementary shooting information into the framing view, whereas the optical viewfinder offers lag-free viewing and a very clear framing image. The viewfinders of both cameras offer the same field of view (100%), as well as the same magnification (0.70x). The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Panasonic GX80 and Nikon D3 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

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Core Features
  empty Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Panasonic GX802765 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Nikon D3optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIoptical Y3.0 / 230 fixed n 1/8000s 10.0/s n n
4.
 
Nikon D3Soptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
5.
 
Nikon D3Xoptical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 5.0/s n n
6.
 
Nikon D4optical Y3.2 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 11.0/s n n
7.
 
Nikon D700optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 8.0/s Y n
8.
 
Olympus E-M5 II2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
9.
 
Olympus E-M101440 n3.0 / 1037 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Olympus E-M10 II2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 III2360 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/4000s 8.6/s Y Y
12.
 
Olympus PEN-F2360 n3.0 / 1037 swivel Y 1/8000s 10.0/s n Y
13.
 
Panasonic G72360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 7.0/s Y n
14.
 
Panasonic G802360 n3.0 / 1040 swivel Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
15.
 
Panasonic GH21534 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
16.
 
Panasonic GX72760 n3.0 / 1040 tilting Y 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
17.
 
Panasonic GX92760 n3.0 / 1240 tilting Y 1/4000s 9.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The GX80 has one, while the D3 does not. While the built-in flash of the GX80 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The reported shutter speed information refers to the use of the mechanical shutter. Yet, some cameras only have an electronic shutter, while others have an electronic shutter in addition to a mechanical one. In fact, the GX80 is one of those camera that have an additional electronic shutter, which makes completely silent shooting possible. However, this mode is less suitable for photographing moving objects (risk of rolling shutter) or shooting under artificial light sources (risk of flickering).

The Panasonic GX80 and the Nikon D3 both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

The GX80 writes its imaging data to SDXC cards, while the D3 uses Compact Flash cards. The D3 features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the GX80 only has one slot.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80 and Nikon D3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
  empty Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Panasonic GX80Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
2.
 
Nikon D3Y- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark IIIY- / ----2.0---
4.
 
Nikon D3SYstereo / ---mini2.0---
5.
 
Nikon D3XY- / ---mini2.0---
6.
 
Nikon D4Ymono / monoYYmicro2.0---
7.
 
Nikon D700Y- / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-M5 IIYstereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
9.
 
Olympus E-M10Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
10.
 
Olympus E-M10 IIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 IIIYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
12.
 
Olympus PEN-FYstereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
13.
 
Panasonic G7Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
14.
 
Panasonic G80Ystereo / monoY-micro2.0Y--
15.
 
Panasonic GH2Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
16.
 
Panasonic GX7Ystereo / mono--mini2.0YY-
17.
 
Panasonic GX9Ystereo / mono--micro2.0Y-Y

It is notable that the GX80 offers wifi support, while the D3 does not. Wifi can be a very convenient means to transfer image data to an off-camera location.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Nikon D3 (unlike the GX80) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

The GX80 is a recent model that features in the current product line-up of Panasonic. In contrast, the D3 has been discontinued (but can be found pre-owned on ebay). As a replacement in the same line of cameras, the D3 was succeeded by the Nikon D4. Further information on the features and operation of the GX80 and D3 can be found, respectively, in the Panasonic GX80 Manual (free pdf) or the online Nikon D3 Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Panasonic GX80 or the Nikon D3 – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

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Advantages of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX80:

  • More detail: Offers more megapixels (15.8 vs 12.1MP) with a 12% higher linear resolution.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • Broader imaging potential: Can record not only still images but also 4K/30p movies.
  • More framing info: Has an electronic viewfinder that displays shooting data.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1040k vs 922k dots).
  • More flexible LCD: Has a tilting screen for odd-angle shots in landscape orientation.
  • Fewer buttons to press: Is equipped with a touch-sensitive rear screen to facilitate handling.
  • Less disturbing: Has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting.
  • More compact: Is smaller (122x71mm vs 160x157mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter (by 874g or 67 percent) and hence easier to carry around.
  • Easier travel charging: Can be conveniently charged via its USB port.
  • Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
  • More legacy lens friendly: Can take a broad range of non-native lenses via adapters.
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • Easier file upload: Has wifi built in for automatic backup or image transfer to the web.
  • More affordable: Was introduced into a lower priced category (84 percent cheaper at launch).
  • More modern: Reflects 8 years and 7 months of technical progress since the D3 launch.

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Reasons to prefer the Nikon D3:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Better image quality: Scores markedly higher (10 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (1.8 stops ISO advantage).
  • Brighter framing: Features an optical viewfinder for clear, lag-free composition.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/4000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (11 vs 8 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (4300 versus 290) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been around for much longer (launched in August 2007).

If the number of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the GX80 is the clear winner of the match-up (17 : 13 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

GX80 17:13 D3

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Panasonic GX80 and the Nikon D3 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it says little about, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance of the GX80 and the D3 in practical situations. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The adjacent summary-table relays the overall verdicts of several of the most popular camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
  empty  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Panasonic GX804.5/5+ +..82/1005/55/5 Apr 2016 799 amazon.com
2.
 
Nikon D3......+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 4,999ebay.com
3.
 
Canon 1D Mark III............ Feb 2007 4,499ebay.com
4.
 
Nikon D3S5/5....89/1004.5/55/5 Oct 2009 5,199ebay.com
5.
 
Nikon D3X......86/1004/55/5 Dec 2008 7,999ebay.com
6.
 
Nikon D4........4.5/54.5/5 Jan 2012 5,999ebay.com
7.
 
Nikon D700..89/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 Jul 2008 2,999ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-M5 II5/5+ +4.5/581/1005/55/5 Feb 2015 1,099ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-M104/5....80/1005/55/5 Jan 2014 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-M10 II4.5/5+ +..80/1005/55/5 Aug 2015 649ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-M10 III..+5/580/1004.5/54.5/5 Aug 2017 649ebay.com
12.
 
Olympus PEN-F....4/582/1004.5/55/5 Jan 2016 1,199ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic G74/5+ +3.5/580/1005/54.5/5 May 2015 649ebay.com
14.
 
Panasonic G80..+ +..84/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2016 899ebay.com
15.
 
Panasonic GH25/5+ +..79/1004.5/55/5 Sep 2010 899ebay.com
16.
 
Panasonic GX74/5+..79/1005/55/5 Aug 2013 999ebay.com
17.
 
Panasonic GX94/5+4/584/1004.5/54.5/5 Feb 2018 849ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

Care should be taken when interpreting the review scores above, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Panasonic GX80 vs Nikon D3

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Panasonic GX80 Nikon D3
    Camera Type Mirrorless system camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Micro Four Thirds lenses Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date April 2016 August 2007
    Launch Price USD 799 USD 4,999
    Sensor Specs Panasonic GX80 Nikon D3
    Sensor Technology CMOS CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm 36.0 x 23.9 mm
    Sensor Area 224.9 mm2 860.4 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 15.8 Megapixels 12.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 4592 x 3448 pixels 4256 x 2832 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 3.77 μm 8.43 μm
    Pixel Density 7.04 MP/cm2 1.40 MP/cm2
    Moiré control no AA filter Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability 4K/30p Video no Video
    ISO Setting 200 - 25,600 ISO 200 - 6,400 ISO
    ISO Boost 100 - 25,600 ISO 100 - 25,600 ISO
    Image Processor Venus EXPEED
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 71 81
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 22.9 23.5
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 12.6 12.2
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 662 2290
    Screen Specs Panasonic GX80 Nikon D3
    Viewfinder Type Electronic viewfinder Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100% 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x 0.70x
    Viewfinder Resolution 2765k dots
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.0inch
    LCD Resolution 1040k dots 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Tilting screen Fixed screen
    Touch Input Touchscreen no Touchscreen
    Shooting Specs Panasonic GX80 Nikon D3
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing AidFocus Peakingno Peaking Feature
    Continuous Shooting 8 shutter flaps/s 11 shutter flaps/s
    Electronic Shutterup to 1/16000sno E-Shutter
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationLens stabilization only
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs Panasonic GX80 Nikon D3
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 2.0
    HDMI Port micro HDMI mini HDMI
    Wifi Support Wifi built-in no Wifi
    Body Specs Panasonic GX80 Nikon D3
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Panasonic DMW-BLG10 Nikon EN-EL4a
    Battery Life (CIPA)290 shots per charge4300 shots per charge
    In-Camera Charging USB charging no USB charging
    Body Dimensions 122 x 71 x 44 mm
    (4.8 x 2.8 x 1.7 in)
    160 x 157 x 88 mm
    (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in)
    Camera Weight 426 g (15.0 oz) 1300 g (45.9 oz)
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