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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
83
Imaging
52
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 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
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic G2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G5
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a thorough assessment of the Panasonic G3 versus Pentax K-500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very close but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The G3 was introduced 3 years prior to the K-500 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple summary of how the G3 grades versus the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K-500

 G3 K-500 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic G3

 K-500 G3 
LaunchedNovember 2013July 2011Fresher by 29 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-500

 G3 K-500 
Focus manually Very precise focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") along with a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic G3 versus Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the G3 vs the K-500.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G3 and K-500 is 83 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by researching specifications. The graphic below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and K-500.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses the exact same megapixels but not the same sensor sizing. The G3 features the smaller sensor which is going to make getting bokeh more challenging. The older G3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
75
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides touch to focus
does not have image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
good ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-500 Sports photography advice
47
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (270 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (710 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G3
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
70
provides touch to focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
no Time Lapse function
bad battery life (270 per charge)
67
better than average battery power (710 CIPA)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography info
62
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
MP count good (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
bad battery life (270 shots)
no Time Lapse function
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-500 Vlogging advice
70
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
includes face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have image stabilization
no external mic port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no external mic jack
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax K-500
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2011-07-11 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip 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
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
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
External flash
Auto exposure 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
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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 336 grams (0.74 pounds) 646 grams (1.42 pounds)
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 13.1
DXO Low light score 667 1087
Other
Battery life 270 pictures 710 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $500 $600