Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20
Portability
66 Imaging
52 Features
80 Overall
63
66 Imaging
52 Features
80 Overall
63
Portability
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
90 Imaging
39 Features
35 Overall
37
Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax VS20 Key Specs
Panasonic GH3
(Full Review)
(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)
(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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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.
Photography GlossaryThe 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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This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 & Pentax Optio VS20. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic GH3 Gallery & Pentax VS20 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GH3 over the Pentax VS20
| GH3 | VS20 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | September 2012 |  | January 2012 | More recent by 8 months |
| Screen type | Fully Articulated |  | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
| Screen resolution | 614k |  | 460k | Crisper 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 sizing | 3" |  | 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.
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.
Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH3 and VS20 is 66 and 90 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
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Portrait Comparison
Panasonic GH3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Portrait photography highlights
focusing manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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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Panasonic GH3 Street photography details
Pentax VS20 Street photography details
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)
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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Panasonic GH3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Sports photography camera
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
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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Panasonic GH3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax VS20 Travel photography highlights
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)
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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Panasonic GH3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax VS20 as a Landscape photography camera
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
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
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Vlogging with Panasonic GH3
Vlogging with Pentax VS20
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)
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
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 | Pentax 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 |