Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-S2

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-S2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the GF3 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the GF3 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The GF3 was introduced 4 years earlier than the K-S2 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the GF3 grades vs the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 & Pentax K-S2. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF3 Gallery & Pentax K-S2 Gallery.

If you're aiming to lug around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF3 enjoys outside 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-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the GF3 versus the K-S2.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and K-S2 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor measurements merely by reviewing technical specs. The graphic below will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and K-S2.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GF3 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-S2 will offer greater detail using its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older GF3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.