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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q

Portability
90
Imaging
48
Features
48
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Announced August 2011
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GF2
  • Replacement is Panasonic GF5
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GF3 versus Pentax Q, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF3 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is pretty close but the GF3 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF3 was unveiled 2 months later than the Q and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer the identical body type (Rangefinder-style mirrorless).

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the GF3 grades versus the Q for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF3 over the Pentax Q

 GF3 Q 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic GF3

 Q GF3 

Common features in the Panasonic GF3 and Pentax Q

 GF3 Q 
ReleasedAugust 2011June 2011Same age
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF3 provides physical dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 264 grams (0.58 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has measurements of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GF3 versus Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the GF3 versus the Q.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF3 and Q is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through specifications. The graphic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF3 and Q.

To sum up, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor measurements. The GF3 has the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving bokeh simpler.

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
55
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
45
has manual focus
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000 seconds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF3
Street photography with Pentax Q
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
fixed screen
no image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF3
Sports photography with Pentax Q
38
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
low battery power (300 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q Travel photography advice
58
has touch focus
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery power (300 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
57
lighter than competition in class (180g)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
low battery life (230 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q Landscape photography information
55
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
low battery power (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
51
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery life (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF3 Vlogging factors
Pentax Q Vlogging factors
32
touchscreen
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
missing mic support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic support
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF3 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3Pentax Q
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Pentax Q
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2011-08-11 2011-06-23
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 160 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160s 1/2000s
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 264 gr (0.58 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Dimensions 108 x 67 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 50 47
DXO Color Depth score 20.6 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score 10.1 11.1
DXO Low light score 459 189
Other
Battery life 300 shots 230 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $360 $695