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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Released August 2011
  • Old Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Successor is Panasonic GF5
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic GF3 versus Pentax K-r, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively close but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The GF3 was unveiled 6 months after the K-r and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the GF3 grades against the K-r for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax K-r

 GF3 K-r 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic GF3

 K-r GF3 
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-r

 GF3 K-r 
LaunchedAugust 2011March 2011Same generation
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 has got physical dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GF3 versus Pentax K-r in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view measurement comparison of the GF3 compared to the K-r.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the GF3 and K-r is 90 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes just by looking through specs. The image here should give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and K-r.

All in all, both cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit different sensor sizes. The GF3 uses the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh trickier.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
55
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF3
Street photography with Pentax K-r
70
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus by touch
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (300 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
terrible battery (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography info
Pentax K-r Travel photography info
58
has focus by touch
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
47
flash built-in
terrible battery (470 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
55
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
65
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
terrible battery (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging features
Pentax K-r Vlogging features
32
touchscreen
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
missing external mic port
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax K-r
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-08-11 2011-03-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 200
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264 gr (0.58 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 72
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 12.4
DXO Low light score 459 755
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 470 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $360 $1,100