Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax K-3

The following is a thorough comparison of the Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax K-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the sensor resolutions of the VH-515 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the VH-515 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The VH-515 was revealed 19 months earlier than the K-3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Olympus VH-515 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the VH-515 grades vs the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a sample of the gallery pictures for Olympus VH-515 and Pentax K-3. The full galleries are available at Olympus VH-515 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus VH-515 enjoys exterior dimensions of 102mm x 60mm x 21mm (4.0" x 2.4" x 0.8") having a weight of 152 grams (0.34 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Olympus VH-515 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view scale comparison of the VH-515 and the K-3.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the VH-515 and K-3 is 95 and 59 respectively.

Oftentimes, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions purely by seeing a spec sheet. The picture underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the VH-515 and K-3.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The VH-515 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 will produce more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more aged VH-515 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.