Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1
83 Imaging
51 Features
62 Overall
55


69 Imaging
63 Features
70 Overall
65
Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs
(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
- Announced July 2011
- Previous Model is Panasonic G2
- Updated by Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
- Introduced August 2014
- Renewed by Pentax K-S2

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview
On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

The G3 was brought out 4 years earlier than the K-S1 and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a short summary of how the G3 scores vs the K-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 and Pentax K-S1. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic G3 Gallery and Pentax K-S1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K-S1
G3 | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies | ||
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic G3
K-S1 | G3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | August 2014 | ![]() | July 2011 | More recent by 38 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 460k | Sharper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-S1
G3 | K-S1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | More exact focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal screen size |
Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison
If you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G3 comes with external measurements of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).
Analyze the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the G3 and the K-S1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G3 and K-S1 is 83 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison
Sometimes, it is difficult to envision the contrast between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The photograph underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the G3 and K-S1.
All in all, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The G3 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will resolve extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots more aggressively. The older G3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 | Pentax K-S1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 | Pentax K-S1 |
Type | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2011-07-11 | 2014-08-27 |
Body design | SLR-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Venus Engine FHD | Prime MII |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16MP | 20MP |
Anti aliasing filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4592 x 3448 | 5472 x 3648 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 51200 |
Lowest native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection autofocus | ||
Contract detection autofocus | ||
Phase detection autofocus | ||
Number of focus points | 23 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Available lenses | 107 | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed Type |
Screen size | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of screen | 460k dot | 921k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Screen tech | TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder resolution | 1,440k dot | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100 percent | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.7x | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 4.0 frames/s | 5.4 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 11.00 m | 10.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash sync | 1/160 seconds | - |
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | AVCHD, Motion JPEG | H.264 |
Microphone jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 | 336g (0.74 lb) | 558g (1.23 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") | 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall score | 56 | 78 |
DXO Color Depth score | 21.0 | 23.5 |
DXO Dynamic range score | 10.6 | 13.0 |
DXO Low light score | 667 | 1061 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 270 images | 410 images |
Battery form | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery model | - | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Pricing at release | $500 | $339 |