Upgrade Guide
Lumix Lumix S5D→Lumix G3
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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The G3 offers little measurable spec improvement over the Lumix S5D. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution16MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | Lumix S5D | G3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -2.4 | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | -0.5 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -3.6 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -1.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Documentary | -3.9 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.6 | ||
| Landscape | -3.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -1.1 | ||
| Casual | -0.5 | ||
| Food | -1.7 | ||
| Macro | -2.2 | ||
| Architecture | -2.8 | ||
| Astrophotography | -2.5 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Lumix S5D | G3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £495 used | £20 used | |
| Released | 2024 | 2011 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP full-frame CMOS (dual native ISO) | 16MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 16MP | ↓ |
| Video | C4K/4K 30p full-frame 10-bit 4:2:2, 4K 60p (APS-C), V-Log, HDMI RAW | Full HD 1080/60i | |
| Autofocus | Contrast AF with DFD; face/eye/body/animal detection, 225-area | 23-area contrast AF with face detection, touch AF | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis sensor-shift IBIS, 5 stops (6.5 with Dual I.S. 2) | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 7fps (5fps with continuous AF) | 4fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~430 shots (CIPA) | ~270 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 714g (with battery) | 388g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | Electronic OLED, 2.36M dots, 0.74x, 120 fps | LCD EVF, 1.44M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.84M dots | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen, 460k dots | |
| Mount | Leica L | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See Lumix S5D and G3 next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the G3 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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Camera family history