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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1

Portability
83
Imaging
51
Features
62
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G5
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the G3 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is fairly close but the G3 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") boast totally different sensor size.

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The G3 was brought out 5 months later than the S1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a simple summation of how the G3 scores against the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G3 over the Pentax S1

 G3 S1 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic G3

 S1 G3 

Common features in the Panasonic G3 and Pentax S1

 G3 S1 
ReleasedJuly 2011March 2011Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G3 enjoys outer dimensions of 115mm x 84mm x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") and a weight of 336 grams (0.74 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the G3 against the S1.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the G3 and S1 is 83 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The photograph below will give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the G3 and S1.

As you can tell, each of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The G3 due to its larger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field easier and the Panasonic G3 will provide you with greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
70
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focus
supports RAW formats
35
has manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
no manual control
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G3
Street photography with Pentax S1
75
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
has touch focus
no image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G3
Sports photography with Pentax S1
46
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (4.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (270 per charge)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic G3
Travel photography with Pentax S1
70
has touch focus
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Timelapse function
bad battery pack (270 shots)
64
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G3 Landscape photography features
Pentax S1 Landscape photography features
62
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (270 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
42
has manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G3
Vlogging with Pentax S1
70
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
has face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
no image stabilization
doesn't have external microphone socket
28
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic G3 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G3 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Pentax Optio S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-07-11 2011-03-02
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 11.00 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
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)) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 336 grams (0.74 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 115 x 84 x 47mm (4.5" x 3.3" x 1.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 pictures 260 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $500 $174