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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
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 Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic ZR3 versus Pentax K-3, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the ZR3 (14MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the ZR3 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZR3 was launched 5 years earlier than the K-3 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ZR3 matches up against the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax K-3

 ZR3 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic ZR3

 K-3 ZR3 
LaunchedApril 2014January 2010Newer by 51 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-3

 ZR3 K-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZR3 has got outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZR3 versus Pentax K-3 in the new 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 use during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the ZR3 and the K-3.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and K-3 is 94 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching specs. The picture below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR3 and K-3.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZR3 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZR3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography advice
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
Street photography with Pentax K-3
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
great ISO range (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
36
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
low fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
low battery power (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
64
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
low battery power (560 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
37
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
low battery power (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging details
Pentax K-3 Vlogging details
29
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic support
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax K-3
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-01-26 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II 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 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3.2"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 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
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (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 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 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 - 560 photographs
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Launch cost $280 $639