Clicky

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Released July 2015
  • Replaced the 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
  • Released April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic GX8 versus Pentax K-3, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GX8 (20MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is fairly well matched but the GX8 (Four Thirds) and K-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The GX8 was revealed 16 months later than the K-3 making them a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the GX8 grades against the K-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Pentax K-3

 GX8 K-3 
ReleasedJuly 2015April 2014More recent by 16 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k1037kCrisper display (+3k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic GX8

 K-3 GX8 
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic GX8 and Pentax K-3

 GX8 K-3 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GX8 has got outside dimensions of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") accompanied by a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic GX8 versus Pentax K-3 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the GX8 compared to the K-3.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX8 and K-3 is 74 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath will offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GX8 and K-3.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GX8 having a tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-3 will give greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos way more aggressively. The more recent GX8 will have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography information
75
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
79
manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GX8
Street photography with Pentax K-3
80
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
comes with focus by touch
weather sealing
great ISO range (25,600)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
not so great battery (330 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery (560 per charge)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX8
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
73
weather sealing
comes with focus by touch
resolution is good (20MP)
selfie friendly display
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
60
weather sealing
decent MP (24MP)
built-in flash
not so great battery (560 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GX8
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
76
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
77
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery (560 CIPA)
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
81
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX8 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Pentax K-3
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-07-16 2014-04-10
Body design Rangefinder-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 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5184 x 3888 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, auto w/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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 487 grams (1.07 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 75 80
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 13.4
DXO Low light rating 806 1216
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 560 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Two
Pricing at launch $898 $639