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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II 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
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Replaced the Panasonic G1
  • Replacement is Panasonic G3
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
  • Introduced April 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-3
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic G2 versus Pentax K-3 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the sensor resolutions of the G2 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the G2 (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The G2 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-3 II which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the G2 grades against the K-3 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax K-3 II

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

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic G2

 K-3 II G2 
IntroducedApril 2015July 2010More modern by 58 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-3 II

 G2 K-3 II 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G2 features physical measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Panasonic G2 versus Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the G2 compared to the K-3 II.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

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

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes simply by reading a spec sheet. The image underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the G2 and K-3 II.

As you can see, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The G2 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-3 II will offer more detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged G2 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 II Street photography details
65
screen can move to multiple angles
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
includes touch to focus
lack of image stabilization
heavier than average in class (428g)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G2
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
40
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
lack of phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect AF
terrible battery power (720 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
58
includes touch to focus
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (428g)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
56
weather proof
MP count decent (24MP)
terrible battery power (720 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography factors
57
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery power (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Vlogging camera
61
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
supports face detect focus
has mic socket
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
heavier than average in class (428 grams)
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax K-3 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-07-12 2015-04-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points - 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow 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)
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 428g (0.94 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
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 All around rating 53 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 13.6
DXO Low light rating 493 1106
Other
Battery life 360 shots 720 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 2
Price at launch $1,000 $829