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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Superseded the Panasonic FZ200
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-3, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the FZ300 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the FZ300 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor measurements.

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The FZ300 was unveiled 16 months after the K-3 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the FZ300 grades against the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Pentax K-3

 FZ300 K-3 
AnnouncedJuly 2015April 2014More modern by 16 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k1037kSharper screen (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic FZ300

 K-3 FZ300 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-3

 FZ300 K-3 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ300 has outer dimensions of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") along with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FZ300 and the K-3.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ300 and K-3 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specifications. The picture underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ300 and K-3.

To sum up, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The FZ300 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-3 will resolve extra detail having an extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more modern FZ300 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
46
has manual focus
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
59
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
environment proof
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition (691g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Sports photography highlights
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
great max shutter speed (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
environment proof
great battery (380 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery life (560 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ300
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
59
great battery (380 CIPA)
environment proof
provides touch focus
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (600mm)
more heavy than competition (691 grams)
resolution not great (12MP)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
60
weather proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery life (560 shots)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ300
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
52
has manual focus
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
environment proof
great battery (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
2 card slots
low battery life (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ300
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
62
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone support
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition (691 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Pentax K-3
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-07-16 2014-04-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
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 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/16000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 8.80 m (at Auto ISO) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 691 grams (1.52 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 380 shots 560 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Dual
Retail pricing $598 $639