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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic G2
  • Replacement is Panasonic G5
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Launched June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K20D, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively comparable but the G3 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The G3 was announced 3 years later than the K20D and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the G3 scores versus the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax K20D

 G3 K20D 
LaunchedJuly 2011June 2008Fresher by 38 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic G3

 K20D G3 

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K20D

 G3 K20D 
Manual focus Very precise focus

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G3 comes with outside 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 K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G3 and Pentax K20D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the G3 compared to the K20D.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G3 and K20D is 83 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Often, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and K20D.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G3 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic G3 will produce more detail with its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger G3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K20D Portrait photography details
70
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
71
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Street photography camera
75
fully articulated screen
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
has touch focus
lack of image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Sports photography camera
46
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
slow fps (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (270 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G3
Travel photography with Pentax K20D
70
has touch focus
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
no Timelapse mode
not so great battery (270 per charge)
64
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
built-in flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K20D Landscape photography info
62
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
70
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
small screen (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K20D Vlogging advice
70
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
supports face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
no microphone port
9
no video recording
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax K20D
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-07-11 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
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 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps)) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 336 gr (0.74 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 65
DXO Color Depth rating 21.0 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 11.1
DXO Low light rating 667 639
Other
Battery life 270 images -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $500 $700