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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Announced July 2010
  • Replaced the Panasonic G1
  • Later Model is Panasonic G3
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
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the G2 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the G2 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The G2 was released 4 years prior to the K-3 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summation of how the G2 grades vs the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax K-3

 G2 K-3 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic G2

 K-3 G2 
RevealedApril 2014July 2010Fresher by 45 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kSharper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-3

 G2 K-3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry your camera often, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic G2 enjoys outside dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the G2 against the K-3.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the G2 and K-3 is 72 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing simply by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G2 and K-3.

As you can see, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The G2 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The older G2 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G2
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
60
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
79
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G2
Street photography with Pentax K-3
65
screen articulates fully
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
provides touch focus
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competitors in class (428g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G2 Sports photography info
Pentax K-3 Sports photography info
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
has no phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery life (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 Travel photography info
58
provides touch focus
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (428g)
low MP (12 megapixels)
60
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery life (560 shots)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography features
57
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse recording
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery life (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 Vlogging details
Pentax K-3 Vlogging details
61
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
supports face detection focus
does have external mic port
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competitors in class (428 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone port
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax K-3
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2010-07-12 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 gr (0.94 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 53 80
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 13.4
DXO Low light score 493 1216
Other
Battery life 360 photos 560 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch pricing $1,000 $639