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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GF8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Released February 2016
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF7
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Panasonic GF8 versus Pentax K-3, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the GF8 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the GF8 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The GF8 was released 23 months later than the K-3 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the GF8 scores against the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF8 over the Pentax K-3

 GF8 K-3 
ReleasedFebruary 2016April 2014Fresher by 23 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k1037kSharper display (+3k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic GF8

 K-3 GF8 
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic GF8 and Pentax K-3

 GF8 K-3 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF8 enjoys outer measurements of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF8 versus Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the GF8 compared to the K-3.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the GF8 and K-3 is 90 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very tough to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by seeing technical specs. The photograph underneath might give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GF8 and K-3.

As you have seen, both cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GF8 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-3 will produce greater detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more modern GF8 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography info
65
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
cannot use external flash
79
has manual focus
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
80
has a tilting screen
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides touch focus
above average high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF8
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
49
silent mode (1/16,000s)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
slow fps (5.8 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery life (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Travel photography features
Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
66
provides touch focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (230 per charge)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
60
weather proofing
decent MP (24MP)
has built in flash
bad battery life (560 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography features
65
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery (230 shots)
missing Timelapse mode
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
bad battery life (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 Vlogging factors
33
touch screen
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF8 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 Pentax K-3
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-02-15 2014-04-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/8000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 5.8fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 266 grams (0.59 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 230 shots 560 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Two
Launch price $549 $639