Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax W80

Below, we will be analyzing the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax W80, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the W80 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and W80 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The GF3 was unveiled 2 years later than the W80 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF3 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax W80 being a Compact camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the GF3 scores vs the W80 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 & Pentax Optio W80. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic GF3 Gallery & Pentax W80 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF3 offers outside measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) while the Pentax W80 has sizing of 100mm x 56mm x 25mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 156 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax W80 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the GF3 against the W80.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and W80 is 90 and 94 respectively.

Typically, it can be difficult to visualise the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through technical specs. The graphic below should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the GF3 and W80.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses the exact same megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The GF3 has the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF simpler. The fresher GF3 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.