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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Introduced February 2012
  • Later Model is Panasonic GX7
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference among the image resolutions of the GX1 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the GX1 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The GX1 was brought out 3 years before the K-3 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a concise overview of how the GX1 scores vs the K-3 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Pentax K-3

 GX1 K-3 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic GX1

 K-3 GX1 
LaunchedApril 2014February 2012Newer by 26 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Pentax K-3

 GX1 K-3 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GX1 has got exterior measurements of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") and a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has dimensions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the GX1 versus the K-3.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the GX1 and K-3 is 87 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to picture the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The pic here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GX1 and K-3.

To sum up, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GX1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will provide more detail having its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged GX1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GX1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
boasts touch to focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
47
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (4.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery (300 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
low battery power (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 Travel photography details
65
boasts touch to focus
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
low battery (300 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
60
weather sealing
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery power (560 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
62
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low battery (300 per charge)
no Timelapse function
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
low battery power (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-3 Vlogging highlights
32
touchscreen capability
includes face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no external microphone jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Pentax K-3
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-02-14 2014-04-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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 12800 51200
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.60 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 318g (0.70 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 80
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 13.4
DXO Low light score 703 1216
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 560 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single 2
Retail price $228 $639