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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Introduced August 2011
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF5
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax RS1500, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and RS1500 (1/2.3") possess different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was launched 5 months later than the RS1500 and they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the GF3 scores vs the RS1500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax RS1500

 GF3 RS1500 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic GF3

 RS1500 GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax RS1500

 GF3 RS1500 
IntroducedAugust 2011March 2011Similar generation
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 has got exterior 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 RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the GF3 compared to the RS1500.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF3 and RS1500 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GF3 and RS1500.

As you can tell, both of the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GF3 due to its larger sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF easier and the Pentax RS1500 will give you more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography advice
55
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
35
manual focus
good MP (14MP)
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Street photography camera
70
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
comes with touch to focus
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
54
environment proof
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Sports photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography advice
38
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
bad battery life (300 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
37
good MP (14MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
max fps low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Travel photography camera
58
comes with touch to focus
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (300 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
67
environment proof
good MP (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography factors
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
bad battery life (300 per charge)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
40
manual focus
quite wide (28mm)
good MP (14MP)
environment proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging information
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging information
32
screen is touchscreen
includes face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
doesn't have external mic port
25
quite wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-08-11 2011-03-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens focal range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Highest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264g (0.58 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 50 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 not tested
DXO Low light score 459 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots 260 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $360 $150