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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Released December 2013
  • Successor is Panasonic GM5
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the GM1 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the GM1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The GM1 was launched 3 months prior to the K-3 which means that they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the GM1 matches up versus the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Pentax K-3

 GM1 K-3 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic GM1

 K-3 GM1 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k1036kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Pentax K-3

 GM1 K-3 
ReleasedDecember 2013April 2014Similar age
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to travel with your camera, you will want to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GM1 provides external dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the GM1 and the K-3.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GM1 and K-3 is 93 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The picture here will provide you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM1 and K-3.

All in all, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GM1 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 will deliver more detail utilizing its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography details
65
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
77
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
boasts focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography info
Pentax K-3 Sports photography info
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/500s)
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (230 per charge)
lack of phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Travel photography camera
74
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
boasts focus by touch
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (230 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
environment proofing
resolution is good (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
69
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
terrible battery life (230 shots)
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
has double storage slots
terrible battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
35
touchscreen
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (204 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Pentax K-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-12-19 2014-04-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4592 x 3448 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 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
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,036k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/500s 1/8000s
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/50s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 204 gr (0.45 lbs) 800 gr (1.76 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 80
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 13.4
DXO Low light rating 660 1216
Other
Battery life 230 images 560 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Dual
Cost at launch $750 $639