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Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
31
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic TS3
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Launched August 2011
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-FT3
  • Previous Model is Panasonic TS2
  • Updated by Panasonic TS4
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
  • Renewed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are evaluating the Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-3, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the TS3 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the TS3 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The TS3 was manufactured 3 years before the K-3 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the TS3 matches up against the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS3 over the Pentax K-3

 TS3 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic TS3

 K-3 TS3 
ReleasedApril 2014August 2011More modern by 32 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-3

 TS3 K-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic TS3 provides outer measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the TS3 against the K-3.

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the TS3 and K-3 is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes just by reading through specs. The picture underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TS3 and K-3.

All in all, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The TS3 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-3 will resolve more detail due to its extra 12MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged TS3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
21
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic TS3
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
37
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
great battery power (310 per charge)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
63
great battery power (310 CIPA)
weather proof
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
low resolution (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
60
environment sealing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery (560 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Landscape photography camera
38
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
weather proof
great battery power (310 CIPA)
manual focus not available
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
has double storage slots
bad battery (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
no mic port
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic TS3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS3 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 Pentax K-3
Alternative name Lumix DMC-FT3 -
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-08-16 2014-04-10
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 4.0 frames per second 8.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197g (0.43 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 310 images 560 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Dual
Retail cost $380 $639