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Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
63
Imaging
44
Features
62
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic FZ80
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 616g - 130 x 94 x 119mm
  • Introduced January 2017
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-FZ82
Pentax K-3 II
(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 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic FZ80 and Pentax K-3 II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the image resolutions of the FZ80 (18MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the FZ80 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FZ80 was introduced 21 months after the K-3 II making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ80 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the FZ80 scores versus the K-3 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ80 over the Pentax K-3 II

 FZ80 K-3 II 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017April 2015More modern by 21 months
Display resolution1040k1037kSharper display (+3k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic FZ80

 K-3 II FZ80 
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FZ80 and Pentax K-3 II

 FZ80 K-3 II 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ80 offers outer measurements of 130mm x 94mm x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") and a weight of 616 grams (1.36 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II 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).

Examine the Panasonic FZ80 and Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the FZ80 compared to the K-3 II.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ80 and K-3 II is 63 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The picture below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ80 and K-3 II.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FZ80 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-3 II will provide you with greater detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern FZ80 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography factors
58
you can focus manually
good megapixels (18MP)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FZ80
Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
54
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (616 grams)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Sports photography camera
57
amazing zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography info
59
comes with focus via touch
good megapixels (18MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (20mm)
long reach (1200mm)
heavier than competitors (616 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
weather proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (720 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
57
you can focus manually
decently wide (20mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (18MP)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
terrible battery pack (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ80 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging advice
28
decently wide (20mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no external mic port
heavier than competitors (616g)
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FZ80 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ80 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ80 Pentax K-3 II
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ82 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2017-01-04 2015-04-23
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 3:2
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 20-1200mm (60.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 8.3 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 14.10 m (at Auto ISO) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, 1st Curtain Sync, 2nd Curtain Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 616g (1.36 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 130 x 94 x 119mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 4.7") 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 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 720 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 images x 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $399 $829