Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax RS1500

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax RS1500, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and RS1500 (1/2.3") possess different sensor measurements.

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The GH3 was revealed 19 months after the RS1500 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GH3 grades against the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 and Pentax Optio RS1500. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic GH3 Gallery and Pentax RS1500 Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH3 has got exterior measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has measurements of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax RS1500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have during that time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the GH3 compared to the RS1500.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH3 and RS1500 is 66 and 93 respectively.

Sometimes, it's tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through a spec sheet. The pic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the GH3 and RS1500.

As you can see, both the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GH3 having a bigger sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF easier and the Panasonic GH3 will give greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The more modern GH3 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.