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Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
69
Imaging
54
Features
84
Overall
66
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic G85
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 505g - 128 x 89 x 74mm
  • Introduced September 2016
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-G80
  • Renewed by Panasonic G95
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic G85 versus Pentax K-3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the G85 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the G85 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The G85 was introduced 2 years later than the K-3 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G85 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the G85 grades against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G85 over the Pentax K-3

 G85 K-3 
AnnouncedSeptember 2016April 2014More recent by 30 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k1037kClearer display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic G85

 K-3 G85 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic G85 and Pentax K-3

 G85 K-3 
Focus manually More exact focus

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G85 comes with physical dimensions of 128mm x 89mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 2.9") having a weight of 505 grams (1.11 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic G85 versus Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the G85 and the K-3.

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the G85 and K-3 is 69 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The graphic below may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the G85 and K-3.

To sum up, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The G85 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-3 will provide more detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The younger G85 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G85
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
72
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
79
you can focus manually
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G85 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
77
screen articulates fully
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
features touch to focus
weather proofing
above average ISO range (25,600)
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G85
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
64
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
terrible battery (330 per charge)
lack of phase detect auto focus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
not so great battery power (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G85 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
71
weather proofing
features touch to focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
terrible battery (330 CIPA)
60
weather proofing
good resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (560 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G85
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
terrible battery (330 CIPA)
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
has double storage slots
not so great battery power (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic G85
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
78
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Panasonic G85 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G85 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G85 Pentax K-3
Also called as Lumix DMC-G80 -
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-09-19 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime III
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 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.74x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 9.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.20 m (at ISO 100) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 505g (1.11 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 128 x 89 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.5" x 2.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.5 13.4
DXO Low light rating 656 1216
Other
Battery life 330 photos 560 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs x 3 shots) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One 2
Retail pricing $900 $639