• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 361.2mm2
  • 25.7 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1,600,000

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Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Pentax K-3 III

  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    32 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax K-3 III advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 800 vs 340 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    4 years vs 13 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    1620k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    25.7 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    12.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    30 vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    1600000 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

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Buy the Pentax K-3 III

Review Excerpt

  • Small, solid, light body; Good image quality; 14mm kit lens is of good quality and very small; Very fast autofocus; Excellent selection of lenses; Very fun to shoot with.

  • Small controls; Touchscreen interface might not be for everyone; Weak flash; Does not work with most accessories from previous models; JPEG image quality falls short of third-generation competition.

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup
Pentax K-3 III
Panasonic GF2
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach
Pentax K-3 III
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Internal flash
  • Thinner

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF5
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO
Pentax K-3 III
Panasonic GF5
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash

Compared to Pentax KP

Panasonic GF3
Pentax KP
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Thinner
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-3 III
Pentax KP
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Canon 90D

Panasonic GF3
Canon 90D
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger pixels
  • Thinner
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
Pentax K-3 III
Canon 90D
  • $1847
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1099
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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