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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Launched February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF3
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-3
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-3 II, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the GF2 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the GF2 (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The GF2 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-3 II which is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a complete comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the GF2 matches up vs the K-3 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Pentax K-3 II

 GF2 K-3 II 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic GF2

 K-3 II GF2 
AnnouncedApril 2015February 2011Newer by 50 months
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-3 II

 GF2 K-3 II 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF2 comes with outside dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II 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).

Analyze the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-3 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the GF2 versus the K-3 II.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF2 and K-3 II is 88 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be tough to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading through technical specs. The picture here might provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF2 and K-3 II.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GF2 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-3 II will give extra detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged GF2 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography advice
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
79
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF2
Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
65
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Sports photography info
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography info
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery pack (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
52
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery power (300 per charge)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
56
environment proofing
good resolution (24MP)
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography details
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (300 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging information
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging information
32
touchscreen capability
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Pentax K-3 II
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-02-24 2015-04-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 8.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310 grams (0.68 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 80
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 13.6
DXO Low light rating 506 1106
Other
Battery life 300 photos 720 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Retail cost $330 $829