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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Old Model is Panasonic G2
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G5
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-S2, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty well matched but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The G3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the K-S2 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple view of how the G3 grades vs the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K-S2

 G3 K-S2 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic G3

 K-S2 G3 
RevealedFebruary 2015July 2011More modern by 43 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-S2

 G3 K-S2 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G3 comes with outside dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") with a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the G3 versus the K-S2.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the G3 and K-S2 is 83 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The pic here might give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the G3 and K-S2.

All in all, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G3 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-S2 will give you extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged G3 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
70
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
78
focusing manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 Street photography information
Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
75
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
lack of image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
46
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (270 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
max fps low (5.4 fps)
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G3
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
70
offers focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (270 shots)
65
weather proofing
good resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
terrible battery (410 shots)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography factors
62
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
bad battery life (270 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
70
screen is selfie friendly
screen is touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lack of image stabilization
lack of external mic port
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax K-S2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax K-S2
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-07-11 2015-02-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact 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 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 336 gr (0.74 lb) 678 gr (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 667 not tested
Other
Battery life 270 photographs 410 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $500 $581