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Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
67
Imaging
36
Features
57
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ150
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 528g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Launched April 2012
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
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Panasonic FZ150 versus Pentax K-3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the FZ150 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the FZ150 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The FZ150 was revealed 24 months before the K-3 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ150 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the FZ150 grades vs the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ150 over the Pentax K-3

 FZ150 K-3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic FZ150

 K-3 FZ150 
IntroducedApril 2014April 2012Newer by 24 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ150 and Pentax K-3

 FZ150 K-3 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ150 offers outer measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") along with a weight of 528 grams (1.16 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ150 versus Pentax K-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the FZ150 against the K-3.

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FZ150 and K-3 is 67 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by viewing technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ150 and K-3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FZ150 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will render more detail because of its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged FZ150 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ150 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
41
manual focus
saves RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
79
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ150 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
58
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
heavier than others in class (528 grams)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ150
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
43
long zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
better than average battery (410 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ150
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
56
better than average battery (410 CIPA)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
really wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (528 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
environment proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (560 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ150 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
48
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (410 per charge)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
two card slots
terrible battery pack (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ150 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 Vlogging factors
62
really wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than others in class (528g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ150 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 Pentax K-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-04-11 2014-04-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 9.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 528g (1.16 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 40 80
DXO Color Depth score 19.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.9 13.4
DXO Low light score 132 1216
Other
Battery life 410 shots 560 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Dual
Launch cost $499 $639