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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • New Model is Panasonic G5
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Below, we are reviewing the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is very close but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The G3 was revealed 23 months prior to the K-5 II making the cameras a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the G3 grades versus the K-5 II in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K-5 II

 G3 K-5 II 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic G3

 K-5 II G3 
AnnouncedJune 2013July 2011Newer by 23 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-5 II

 G3 K-5 II 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic G3 has exterior 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) and the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is the front view proportions comparison of the G3 compared to the K-5 II.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and K-5 II is 83 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions merely by researching specs. The picture below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the G3 and K-5 II.

All in all, both of those cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor dimensions. The G3 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder. The more aged G3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography details
70
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 II Street photography information
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
has focus via touch
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography features
46
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max fps low (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
not so great battery (270 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
70
has focus via touch
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
65
environment proof
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography features
62
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
not so great battery (270 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
70
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
no image stabilization
missing microphone jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic port
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax K-5 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-07-11 2013-06-04
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
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 alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 336 grams (0.74 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 14.1
DXO Low light rating 667 1235
Other
Battery life 270 pictures 980 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $500 $830