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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Old Model is Panasonic TS3
  • Updated by Panasonic TS5
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
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-3, former is a Waterproof while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the sensor resolutions of the TS4 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the TS4 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The TS4 was launched 3 years earlier than the K-3 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS4 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summation of how the TS4 grades versus the K-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Pentax K-3

 TS4 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic TS4

 K-3 TS4 
IntroducedApril 2014January 2012More modern by 26 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-3

 TS4 K-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic TS4 provides outside dimensions of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") and a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-3 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the TS4 and the K-3.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the TS4 and K-3 is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to see the contrast between sensor sizes only by going over a spec sheet. The pic underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS4 and K-3.

Clearly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TS4 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-3 will deliver extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged TS4 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Street photography details
Pentax K-3 Street photography details
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
weather sealing
good battery power (310 per charge)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
low battery pack (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Travel photography features
Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
66
good battery power (310 shots)
weather sealing
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
weather proof
decent MP (24MP)
flash built-in
low battery pack (560 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
41
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
weather sealing
good battery power (310 shots)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
77
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
low battery pack (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Pentax K-3
Also called as Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Class Waterproof Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-31 2014-04-10
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment 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 Overall 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 pictures 560 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 Dual
Launch price $399 $639