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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic GF3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 264g - 108 x 67 x 32mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF2
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF5
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Following is a complete analysis of the Panasonic GF3 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was launched 3 years prior to the K-50 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a concise overview of how the GF3 scores vs the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax K-50

 GF3 K-50 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic GF3

 K-50 GF3 
IntroducedNovember 2013August 2011More modern by 27 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-50

 GF3 K-50 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF3 offers outside dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GF3 versus Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the GF3 versus the K-50.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and K-50 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF3 and K-50.

As you can see, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GF3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-50 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots much more aggressively. The more aged GF3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
55
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has focus by touch
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
heavier than competition in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography information
Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-50 Travel photography features
58
has focus by touch
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery power (300 shots)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
56
environment sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
low battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition in class (650g)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
74
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
low battery (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-50 as a Vlogging camera
32
touchscreen
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic socket
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
no external mic socket
heavier than competition in class (650g)
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax K-50
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-08-11 2013-11-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor 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 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum 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 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264g (0.58 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 79
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 13.0
DXO Low light score 459 1120
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 410 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $360 $610