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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic G3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 336g - 115 x 84 x 47mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic G2
  • New Model is Panasonic G5
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed October 2012
  • Successor is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-30, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The G3 was unveiled 15 months before the K-30 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the G3 grades vs the K-30 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K-30

 G3 K-30 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic G3

 K-30 G3 
RevealedOctober 2012July 2011Newer by 15 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-30

 G3 K-30 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic G3 features exterior dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") having a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-30 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 have attached at that moment. Following is the front view overall size comparison of the G3 and the K-30.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and K-30 is 83 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions just by going through technical specs. The pic here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and K-30.

As you have seen, both cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The G3 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field trickier. The more aged G3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography features
70
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G3
Street photography with Pentax K-30
75
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
features touch to focus
no image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G3
Sports photography with Pentax K-30
46
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low battery power (270 shots)
has no phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-30 Travel photography features
70
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse function
low battery power (270 CIPA)
60
weather proofing
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
low battery power (410 shots)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
62
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no image stabilization
low battery power (270 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
low battery power (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 Vlogging details
Pentax K-30 Vlogging details
70
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
features face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
does not have microphone jack
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
does not have external mic socket
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax K-30
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax K-30
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-07-11 2012-10-29
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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 Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 336g (0.74 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 13.0
DXO Low light score 667 1129
Other
Battery life 270 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $500 $525