• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 6400
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • Detailed specifications
  • Pentax K-x
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
Links
Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Pentax K2000
K2000 vs K-x
Panasonic GH2
GH2 vs GH3
Successor: Pentax K-r
K-x vs K-r
Panasonic GH4
GH3 vs GH4
General
Model Number: K-x GH3
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact System Camera
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $649.95 $1299.99
Street Price: $701.76 $797.99
Date Available: 2009-10-15 2012-12-30
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 27.9 oz (791 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
19.6 oz (555 g)
includes batteries
Size: 4.8 x 3.6 x 2.7 in.
(122 x 92 x 69 mm)
5.2 x 3.7 x 3.2 in.
(133 x 93 x 82 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS Live MOS
Sensor Manufacturer:   Panasonic
Effective Megapixels: 12.4 16.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 4/3
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.53 microns 3.75 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x 2.0x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 72 71
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 22.8 22.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 12.5 12.4
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 811 812
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4288 x 2848 (12.2 MP, Other),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3072 x 2048 (6.3 MP, 3:2),
1728 x 1152 (2.0 MP, 3:2)
4608 x 3456 (15.9 MP, 4:3),
4608 x 3072 (14.2 MP, 3:2),
4608 x 2592 (11.9 MP, 16:9),
3456 x 3456 (11.9 MP, 1:1),
3264 x 2448 (8.0 MP, 4:3),
3264 x 2176 (7.1 MP, 3:2),
3264 x 1840 (6.0 MP, Other),
2448 x 2448 (6.0 MP, 1:1),
2336 x 1720 (4.0 MP, Other),
2336 x 1560 (3.6 MP, 3:2),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1744 x 1744 (3.0 MP, 1:1),
1824 x 1368 (2.5 MP, 4:3),
1824 x 1216 (2.2 MP, 3:2),
1824 x 1024 (1.9 MP, 16:9),
1712 x 1712 (2.9 MP, 1:1)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.21), 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) JPEG (EXIF 2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW + JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 4.3 6.1
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (24)
640x416 (24)
1920x1080 (60p/​60i/​30p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30p)
1920x1080 (Slow: 60p/​50p/​30p)
1920x1080 (Fast: 15p/​12p/​8p)
Movie File Format:   MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: Yes No
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No
HD Video Out: No Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3) Micro Four Thirds
Lens: smc Pentax DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 84mm  
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm  
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x  
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - 38 (T)  
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 52.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 2x, 4x; Magnification ratio depends on recording pixels and aspect ratio
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: SAFOX VIII TTL phase-detect 11 point (9 cross) AF: 11 pt auto, 5 pt auto, AF pt select, center/spot Contrast Detection: Face detection, AF Tracking, 23-area-focusing, 1-area-focusing, Pinpoint (Full area touch is available)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD EVF / OLED
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; fixed eye-level pentamirror, 96% coverage, 0.85x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter EVF: 1,746K-dot OLED, 100% coverage, 1.34x / 0.67x (35mm eq.) magnification, 21mm eyepoint, -4 to +4 diopter, eye sensor
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a 1,746,000 dots
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.57x 0.67x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.85x 1.34x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 2.7 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 230,000 dots 614,000 dots (204,600 px)
Touchscreen: No Yes
Articulating Screen: No Yes
Tilt Swivel Screen: No Yes
Selfie Screen: No Yes
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 6400 12800
Minimum ISO (native): 200 200
ISO Settings: Auto (200-6400), 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400; expandable to 12800 Auto, Intelligent ISO, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800; in 1/3 or 1 EV steps; expandable to ISO 125 and ISO 25600; Up to ISO 3200 in Auto
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Flash, White Set 1/2, Color Temperature Setting (2,500-10,000K in 100K steps)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/6000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 16-segment Multi, Center-weighted, Spot 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Auto Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Picture (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Action, Night Scene Portrait, Standard Flash Off), Scene (Night Scene, Surf & Snow, Food, Sunset, Kids, Pet, Candlelight, Museum, Stage Lighting [JPG], Night Snap [JPG]), Sensitivity Priority Clear Portrait, Silky Skin, Backlit Softness, Clear in Backlight, Relaxing Tone, Sweet Child's Face, Distinct Scenery, Bright Blue Sky, Romantic Sunset Glow, Vivid Sunset Glow, Glistening Water, Clear Nightscape, Cool Night Sky, Warm Glowing Nightscape, Artistic Nightscape, Glittering Illuminations, Clear Night Portrait, Soft Image of a Flower, Appetizing Food, Cute Dessert, Freeze Animal Motion, Clear Sports Shot, Monochrome
Self Timer: 2 or 12 seconds 2, 10, 3 shots after 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: On, off, redeye, slow sync, slow sync w redeye, slow sync w trailing curtain, wireless Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction (when iA, iA+), Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Off; Built-in flash supports wireless mode (4 channels, 3 groups)
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 11.3 m / 37.1 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Depends on lens Lens dependent; GN = 17m (ISO 200)
Max Flash Sync: 1/180 1/160
Flash Exposure Compensation: -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Hot Shoe Hot Shoe, PC Sync Socket
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:   UHS-I
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: 12-bit RAW (.PEF, .DNG) RAW, RAW + JPEG
Movie File Format:   MOV (ALL-I and IPB), AVCHD 2.0, MP4; with stereo audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No Yes
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No Yes
Headphone Jack: No Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional IR Optional wired DMW-RSL1
Connections (extended): AC adapter available Mini HDMI (Type-C), 2.5mm Remote Jack, 3.5mm Mic Jack, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.39 0.48
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.43 0.48
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 10 Unlimited
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):   0.46
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 4.3 6.1
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 25 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   5.1
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):   24
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):   5.2
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):   20
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.10 seconds 0.21 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.082 seconds 0.086 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.23 seconds 0.38 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.082 seconds 0.079 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Live View: Phase-detect Full AF: 0.448s Contrast-detect Full AF: 2.567s Prefocused: 0.427s Full Autofocus lag, Multi-area AF mode = 0.202s
Startup Time: 0.6 seconds 0.8 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.2 seconds 0.7 seconds
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.3 seconds 4.1 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   540 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 420 shots (NiMH AA)  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: 4 x AA Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium, Alkaline disposables; NiMH rechargeables 7.2v 1860 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 4 x AA Alkaline disposables 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): No Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes
Internal Charging Supported: No
Software
Included Software: CD-ROM PHOTOfunSTUDIO 8.5 PE, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial)
OS Compatibility: Windows XP/Vista/7, MacOS-X 10.3+  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Sensor-shift shake reduction, 720p HD video capture, Live View with face detection. Available in black or white. Limited edition colors of red and navy will become available at select locations to be announced.