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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Launched July 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic G2
  • Successor is Panasonic G5
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is fairly well matched but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The G3 was introduced 10 months earlier than the K-01 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras offer the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the G3 matches up vs the K-01 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K-01

 G3 K-01 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic G3

 K-01 G3 
AnnouncedMay 2012July 2011More recent by 10 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-01

 G3 K-01 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G3 features physical dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") accompanied by a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-01 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the G3 and the K-01.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and K-01 is 83 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by looking at technical specs. The photograph below should give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the G3 and K-01.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The G3 comes with the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF harder. The older G3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
70
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
75
screen can move to multiple angles
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
has focus by touch
no image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than average (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-01 Sports photography advice
46
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (4.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (270 per charge)
no phase detect AF
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (540 CIPA)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames per second)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
70
has focus by touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
65
good battery (540 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than average (561 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
62
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (270 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse recording
80
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (540 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-01 as a Vlogging camera
70
selfie friendly screen
screen is touchscreen
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
heavier than average (561 grams)
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax K-01
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2011-07-11 2012-05-30
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 336g (0.74 lb) 561g (1.24 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 12.9
DXO Low light score 667 1135
Other
Battery life 270 photos 540 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $500 $899