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Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20

Portability
66
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 front
 
Pentax Optio VS20 front
Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
35
Overall
37

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs

Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 550g - 133 x 93 x 82mm
  • Released September 2012
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH2
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH4
Pentax VS20
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-560mm (F3.1-4.8) lens
  • 235g - 111 x 61 x 38mm
  • Revealed January 2012
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Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GH3 (16MP) and the VS20 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the GH3 (Four Thirds) and VS20 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GH3 was introduced 8 months later than the VS20 and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH3 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax VS20 being a Compact camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the GH3 matches up against the VS20 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Pentax VS20

 GH3 VS20 
RevealedSeptember 2012January 2012More recent by 8 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution614k460kCrisper screen (+154k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax VS20 over the Panasonic GH3

 VS20 GH3 

Common features in the Panasonic GH3 and Pentax VS20

 GH3 VS20 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH3 offers physical measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") along with a weight of 550 grams (1.21 lbs) while the Pentax VS20 has dimensions of 111mm x 61mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5") and a weight of 235 grams (0.52 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the GH3 compared to the VS20.

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH3 and VS20 is 66 and 90 respectively.

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing specs. The graphic below will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GH3 and VS20.

All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor measurements. The GH3 has got the bigger sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF simpler. The fresher GH3 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
36
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
65
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
includes focus by touch
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (550g)
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
63
high max fps (20.0 fps)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (540 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
44
excellent zoom range (28-560mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
71
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
environment sealing
includes focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than average in class (550g)
68
lighter than competitors (235g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
very long reach (560mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3")
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (540 per charge)
lack of image stabilization
47
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH3
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
65
selfie friendly display
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone jack
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than average in class (550 grams)
30
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
lighter than competitors (235g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone socket
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Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH3 and Pentax VS20
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3Pentax Optio VS20
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 Pentax Optio VS20
Category Advanced Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2012-09-17 2012-01-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine VII FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Max native ISO 12800 6400
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 3
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-560mm (20.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.1-4.8
Macro focusing distance - 3cm
Amount of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 614k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech OLED Monitor with static touch control TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,744k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/2500s
Continuous shooting rate 20.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 12.00 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25 24 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 550 grams (1.21 lb) 235 grams (0.52 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 82mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.2") 111 x 61 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 1.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.7 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 812 not tested
Other
Battery life 540 images -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI122
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $799 $106