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Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
53
Imaging
53
Features
81
Overall
64
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ2500
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • 24-480mm (F2.8-4.5) lens
  • 915g - 138 x 102 x 135mm
  • Revealed September 2016
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ2000
  • Replaced the Panasonic FZ1000
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
  • Released April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets take a deeper look at the Panasonic FZ2500 and Pentax K-3, one is a Large Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ2500 (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is very close but the FZ2500 (1") and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The FZ2500 was launched 2 years after the K-3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ2500 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FZ2500 grades against the K-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ2500 over the Pentax K-3

 FZ2500 K-3 
ReleasedSeptember 2016April 2014More modern by 30 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k1037kSharper display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic FZ2500

 K-3 FZ2500 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FZ2500 and Pentax K-3

 FZ2500 K-3 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ2500 enjoys external dimensions of 138mm x 102mm x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3") along with a weight of 915 grams (2.02 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FZ2500 and Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the FZ2500 versus the K-3.

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ2500 and K-3 is 53 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ2500 and K-3.

As you can see, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FZ2500 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 will result in more detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The newer FZ2500 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
71
has manual focus
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
includes touch to focus
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
69
excellent zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
lacks phase detect AF
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery power (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
66
includes touch to focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
pretty wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
weather sealing
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography info
65
has manual focus
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
terrible battery power (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ2500 Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 Vlogging information
66
pretty wide (24mm)
selfie friendly display
touch screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pxls)
has mic jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FZ2500 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ2500 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ2500 Pentax K-3
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ2000 -
Category Large Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-09-19 2014-04-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 12800 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-4.5 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.20 m (at Auto ISO) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2060 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 915g (2.02 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 138 x 102 x 135mm (5.4" x 4.0" x 5.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 70 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 13.4
DXO Low light rating 538 1216
Other
Battery life 350 images 560 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLC12 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One 2
Price at launch $998 $639