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Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
82
Imaging
60
Features
80
Overall
68
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GX9
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 407g - 124 x 72 x 47mm
  • Revealed February 2018
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a in depth review of the Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GX9 (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is very close but the GX9 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The GX9 was released 3 years after the K-3 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GX9 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short highlight of how the GX9 grades against the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX9 over the Pentax K-3

 GX9 K-3 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018April 2014More modern by 47 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1240k1037kCrisper display (+203k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic GX9

 K-3 GX9 
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic GX9 and Pentax K-3

 GX9 K-3 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GX9 provides exterior dimensions of 124mm x 72mm x 47mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 407 grams (0.90 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Below is a front view size comparison of the GX9 versus the K-3.

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GX9 and K-3 is 82 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through specifications. The picture here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX9 and K-3.

To sum up, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GX9 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos more aggressively. The newer GX9 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX9 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
76
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GX9
Street photography with Pentax K-3
84
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
good ISO range (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX9 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
72
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect AF
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
bad battery pack (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX9
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
71
connects via bluetooth
provides focus via touch
good resolution (20MP)
has built in flash
bad battery power (260 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proof
good megapixels (24MP)
flash built-in
bad battery pack (560 CIPA)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX9 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography advice
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
bad battery power (260 per charge)
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
two card slots
bad battery pack (560 shots)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX9 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
35
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detection focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX9 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 Pentax K-3
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2018-02-13 2014-04-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 49 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 1,240 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,760 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 9.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 407 grams (0.90 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 72 x 47mm (4.9" x 2.8" x 1.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 260 photos 560 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 photos over 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One Two
Retail price $1,000 $639