Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax K-500

Below is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic GH3 and Pentax K-500, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty similar but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The GH3 was launched 14 months before the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the GH3 scores against the K-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 & Pentax K-500. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic GH3 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH3 has outer 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) while the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GH3 and Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Underneath is the front view dimensions comparison of the GH3 compared to the K-500.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH3 and K-500 is 66 and 64 respectively.

More often than not, its difficult to see the gap between sensor measurements only by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH3 and K-500.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The GH3 has got the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow DOF tougher. The older GH3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.