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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Launched February 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH5
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-3
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Here is a extensive overview of the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax K-3 II, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and K-3 II (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The GH4 was announced 14 months prior to the K-3 II making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the GH4 scores against the K-3 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax K-3 II

 GH4 K-3 II 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic GH4

 K-3 II GH4 
AnnouncedApril 2015February 2014Fresher by 14 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k1036kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-3 II

 GH4 K-3 II 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH4 offers outer dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 II has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GH4 compared to the K-3 II.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and K-3 II is 66 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizing just by reading a spec sheet. The graphic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the GH4 and K-3 II.

Clearly, each of these cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GH4 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 II will offer you extra detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older GH4 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
79
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH4
Street photography with Pentax K-3 II
71
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts focus via touch
weather proofing
lighter than average in class (560 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH4
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
no phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery pack (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography information
77
lighter than average in class (560 grams)
weather proofing
boasts focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
56
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
bad battery pack (720 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
72
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
78
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery pack (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH4
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
71
selfie friendly display
touch screen
includes face detect focus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone port
lighter than average in class (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone port
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax K-3 II
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-02-07 2015-04-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 49 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 1,036k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 8.3 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 gr (1.23 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 13.6
DXO Low light rating 791 1106
Other
Battery life 500 shots 720 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Dual
Launch price $1,500 $829