Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-5

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-5, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is fairly close but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The GH3 was revealed 22 months later than the K-5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summation of how the GH3 scores against the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and Pentax K-5. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic GH3 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic GH3 offers external dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-5 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are working with at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the GH3 against the K-5.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GH3 and K-5 is 66 and 60 respectively.

In many cases, it's hard to picture the gap in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The visual underneath will help give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the GH3 and K-5.

As you can tell, both the cameras posses the exact same MP but different sensor measurements. The GH3 comes with the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallow depth of field harder. The more recent GH3 should have a benefit with regard to sensor tech.