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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Revealed January 2017
  • Replaced the Panasonic GH4
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH5 II
Pentax K-3
(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
  • Released April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax K-3, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH5 (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is very close but the GH5 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor measurements.

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The GH5 was unveiled 2 years later than the K-3 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the GH5 scores vs the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Pentax K-3

 GH5 K-3 
ReleasedJanuary 2017April 2014More recent by 34 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1620k1037kSharper display (+583k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic GH5

 K-3 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax K-3

 GH5 K-3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent display measurements

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to lug around your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH5 features exterior measurements of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the GH5 versus the K-3.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GH5 and K-3 is 59 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the GH5 and K-3.

As you can see, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GH5 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The younger GH5 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
76
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
79
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Street photography highlights
74
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
offers focus via touch
weather proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
68
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH5
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
68
weather proofing
supports bluetooth
offers focus via touch
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery (410 shots)
60
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (560 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
75
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery (410 shots)
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH5
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic socket
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Pentax K-3
Category Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-04 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 225 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 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, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 725 gr (1.60 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 77 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 13.4
DXO Low light rating 807 1216
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 560 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 2
Launch cost $1,298 $639