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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF5
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

In this write-up, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was announced 20 months after the K-x which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the GF3 matches up vs the K-x in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax K-x

 GF3 K-x 
AnnouncedAugust 2011December 2009Newer by 20 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic GF3

 K-x GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-x

 GF3 K-x 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF3 features external dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view over all size comparison of the GF3 versus the K-x.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and K-x is 90 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking specifications. The pic below may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and K-x.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The GF3 provides the tinier sensor which will make obtaining shallow depth of field tougher. The more modern GF3 will have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-x Portrait photography factors
55
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
63
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-x Street photography highlights
70
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Sports photography camera
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery life (300 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great battery power (1,900 shots)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Travel photography camera
58
includes touch to focus
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low battery life (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
54
great battery power (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-x Landscape photography info
55
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
low battery life (300 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
61
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great battery power (1,900 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-x Vlogging advice
32
screen is touchscreen
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
lack of mic socket
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax K-x
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2011-08-11 2009-12-23
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 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
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264g (0.58 lbs) 580g (1.28 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 72
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 12.5
DXO Low light score 459 811
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 1900 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $360 $600