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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Announced August 2011
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF2
  • New Model is Panasonic GF5
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The GF3 was revealed 9 months prior to the K-01 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the GF3 matches up against the K-01 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax K-01

 GF3 K-01 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic GF3

 K-01 GF3 
LaunchedMay 2012August 2011More modern by 9 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-01

 GF3 K-01 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF3 comes with physical dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-01 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GF3 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and K-01 is 90 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specs. The pic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and K-01.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The GF3 having a tinier sensor will make getting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-01 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs much more aggressively. The more aged GF3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
55
focusing manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography details
Pentax K-01 Street photography details
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
more heavy than competition (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography info
Pentax K-01 Sports photography info
38
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery power (540 shots)
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography details
Pentax K-01 Travel photography details
58
features touch to focus
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (300 per charge)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
better than average battery power (540 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
more heavy than competition (561 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
low battery life (300 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse recording
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF3
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
32
touchscreen capability
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than competition (561g)
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax K-01
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax K-01
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-08-11 2012-05-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264 gr (0.58 lbs) 561 gr (1.24 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 79
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 12.9
DXO Low light score 459 1135
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 540 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $360 $899