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G3 vs LX5

Quick take: The G3 has the highest resolution at 16MP; the G3 is the most affordable.

16 specs side by side·14 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras

How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.

Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more

Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
Specification G3Lumix · 2011LX5Lumix · 2010
Price £20 usedBest£245 used
Sensor 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS10.1MP 1/1.63-inch CCD
Resolution 16.0MPBest10.1MP
Video Full HD 1080/60iHD 720p (AVCHD Lite)
Autofocus 23-area contrast AF with face detection, touch AFContrast AF; face detection, AF tracking, 23-area
Stabilisation No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only)Optical image stabilisation (lens-based)
Burst Rate 4fpsBest2.5fps
Battery Life ~270 shots (CIPA)~400 shots (CIPA)Best
Weight 388g (with battery)271g (with battery)Best
Dimensions 115.2 × 83.6 × 46.7mm109.7 × 65.5 × 43mm
Weather Sealed Not weather sealedNot weather sealed
Viewfinder LCD EVF, 1.44M dotsNone built in (optional DMW-LVF1 electronic finder)
Screen 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 460k dots3.0" fixed LCD, 460k dots
Mount Micro Four ThirdsFixed Leica 3.8x zoom lens (24-90mm equivalent, f/2.0-3.3)
Memory Cards Single SD slotSingle SD slot
Connectivity USB 2.0, mini HDMI, 2.5mm remoteUSB 2.0, mini HDMI, AV out

Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.

How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
G3
LX5
Portrait
4.7/10
3.4/10
Street
5.8/10
6.5/10
Travel
5.2/10
6.0/10
Wedding & Events
3.2/10
2.2/10
Vlogging & Video
3.6/10
—
Documentary
3.0/10
2.8/10
Sports & Action
4.0/10
—
Landscape
3.9/10
2.8/10
Wildlife
4.8/10
—
Casual
4.1/10
3.8/10
Food
5.4/10
2.9/10
Macro
4.7/10
2.3/10
Architecture
4.4/10
2.5/10
Astrophotography
3.8/10
2.0/10

Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →

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