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Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH2
  • New Model is Panasonic GH4
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic GH3 versus Pentax K-01, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is very comparable but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The GH3 was released 4 months later than the K-01 so they are both of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple summation of how the GH3 matches up against the K-01 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Pentax K-01

 GH3 K-01 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic GH3

 K-01 GH3 
Display resolution921k614kClearer display (+307k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Pentax K-01

 GH3 K-01 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012May 2012Same generation
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera often, you should consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH3 provides physical dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has sizing of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH3 versus Pentax K-01 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the GH3 and the K-01.

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH3 and K-01 is 66 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH3 and K-01.

To sum up, both of these cameras have got the exact same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The GH3 has the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field trickier.

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography details
71
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Street photography details
Pentax K-01 Street photography details
65
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
environment sealing
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (550g)
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no moving screen
heavier than competitors (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH3
Sports photography with Pentax K-01
63
fast shooting (20.0 fps)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
no image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Travel photography highlights
71
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
environment sealing
comes with focus by touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
more heavy than others in class (550g)
65
better than average battery (540 per charge)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors (561 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-01
71
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (540 shots)
no image stabilization
80
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-01 Vlogging highlights
65
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone jack
no image stabilization
more heavy than others in class (550g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (561 grams)
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Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Pentax K-01
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-09-17 2012-05-30
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 614 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology OLED Monitor with static touch control TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,744 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 550g (1.21 lbs) 561g (1.24 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 12.9
DXO Low light rating 812 1135
Other
Battery life 540 photos 540 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $799 $899