• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • APS-C 372.1mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Detailed specifications
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
  • Pentax K-500
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Prices:   Compare Prices
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor: Panasonic GF2
GF2 vs GF3
 
Successor: Panasonic GF5
GF3 vs GF5
 
General
Model Number: GF3 K-500
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: Compact System Camera SLR
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $699.99 $599.95
Street Price: $675.49 $596.95
Date Available: 2011-07-30 2013-07-15
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 11.3 oz (320 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
30.1 oz (852 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
Size: 4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in.
(108 x 67 x 33 mm)
5.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 in.
(130 x 97 x 71 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: Live MOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Panasonic Sony
Effective Megapixels: 12.1 16.3
Sensor Format: 4/3 APS-C
Sensor size: 224.9mm2 (17.30mm x 13.00mm) 372.09mm2 (23.70mm x 15.70mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 4.33 microns 4.81 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 2.0x 1.5x
Aspect Ratio: 4:3 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed Fixed
Self-Cleaning: Yes Yes
Sensor shift image stabilization: No Yes
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 49 79
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 20.6 23.7
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 10.0 13.1
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 458 1,087
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4000 x 3000 (12.0 MP, 4:3),
4000 x 2672 (10.7 MP, 3:2),
4000 x 2248 (9.0 MP, 16:9),
2816 x 2112 (5.9 MP, 4:3),
2816 x 1880 (5.3 MP, 3:2),
2816 x 1584 (4.5 MP, 16:9),
2992 x 2992 (9.0 MP, 1:1),
2112 x 2112 (4.5 MP, 1:1),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
1920 x 1080 (2.1 MP, 16:9),
1504 x 1504 (2.3 MP, 1:1),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1064 (1.7 MP, 3:2),
1600 x 904 (1.4 MP, Other),
1440 x 1440 (2.1 MP, 1:1)
4928 x 3264 (16.1 MP, Other),
4224 x 2816 (11.9 MP, 3:2),
3456 x 2304 (8.0 MP, 3:2),
2688 x 1792 (4.8 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF v2.3), MPO, RAW, RAW+JPEG JPEG (EXIF 2.3), 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 3.5 6.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 1920x1080 (60i/​50i (sensor output is 30p/​25p))
1280x720 (60p/​30p)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (60p/​50p/​30p/​25p/​24p)
640x480 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: AVCHD, Motion JPEG MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Composite Video Out: Yes Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: No Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: No No
HD Video Out: Yes No
HD Video Connection: HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Pentax K (KA/KAF/KAF2/3)
Lens: Panasonic 14mm f/2.5 ASPH LUMIX G, 6 elements in 5 groups, including 3 aspherical lenses smc PENTAX-DA L 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AL; 11 elements in 8 groups, 6 bladed diaphragm
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 28mm 27 - 83mm
Focal Length (actual): 14mm 18 - 55mm
Zoom Ratio: 1.00x 3.06x
Aperture Range: f/2.5 - f/22 f/3.5 - f/22 (wide) / f/5.6 - f/38 (tele)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range: 18 cm to Infinity
7.1 in to Infinity
25 cm to Infinity
9.8 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: 46.0mm 52.0mm
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Contrast detection with Face detect, AF tracking, 23-area, 1 area, Pinpoint Phase Detect:: SAFOX IXi+, 11 point (9 cross type focus point in the center), with light wavelength sensor and diffraction lens; Live View: Contrast detection AF (face detection, tracking, select, spot)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type:   SLR type; eye-level pentaprism, 100% coverage, 0.92x mag., -2.5 to +1.5 diopter, 21.7mm eyepoint (from view window), Natural-Bright-Matte III focusing screen (interchangeable)
Focus Peaking: No Yes
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent):   0.61x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed):   0.92x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: No Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 460,000 dots 921,600 dots (307,200 px)
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: No No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 16.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native):   51200
Minimum ISO (native):   100
ISO Settings: Auto, 160-6400; Intelligent ISO Auto, 100-51200 (1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent , Flash, White Set 1, White Set 2, Color Temperature Setting Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Fluorescent (D, N, W, L), Tungsten, Flash, CTE, 3 Manual and 3 Kelvin temperature presets
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 60 sec 1/6000 - 30 sec
Bulb Mode: No Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 144-zone Intelligent Multiple, Center-weighted, Spot TTL open-aperture: 77-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Architecture, Sports, Peripheral Defocus, Flower, Food, Objects, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Illiminatioms, Baby 1, 2, Pet, Party, Sunset Sensitivity Priority, Shutter and Aperture Priority, Scene (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Moving Object, Night Scene Portrait, Sunset, Blue Sky, Forest, Night Scene, Night Scene HDR*, Night Snap, Food, Pet, Kids, Surf & Snow, Backlight Silhouette, Candlelight, Stage Lighting, Museum, *JPEG only); Extract Color, Toy Camera, Retro, High Contrast, Shading, Invert Color, Color; Dynamic range adjustment (Highlight, Shadow); HDR: Auto, HDR 1, HDR 2, HDR 3
Self Timer: 2, 10, 10 (3 images) seconds 2 or 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):   Yes
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off P-TTL: On, Redeye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync + Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 5.0 m / 16.4 ft. 12.0 m / 39.4 ft.
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent Depends on lens
Max Flash Sync: 1/160 1/180
Flash Exposure Compensation:   -2 to +1 EV in 0.5EV steps
External Flash Connection: n/a Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control:   Full TTL exposure
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: SD / SDHC / SDXC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW, RAW+JPEG 12-bit RAW (.DNG), RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format: AVCHD, Motion JPEG MOV MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) with monaural audio
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes No
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: No Yes
Remote Control Type:   Optional Wired or IR
Connections (extended): Mini HDMI (Type C) Wired remote port
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.65  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.65  
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 7  
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 3.5 6.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 20 30
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.31 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.094 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.51 seconds  
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.081 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes): 23-area AF lag: 0.310s  
Startup Time: 1.9 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 0.7 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 5.0 seconds  
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 340 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF):   710 shots (Lithium AA)
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary 7.2v 1010mAh 4 x AA or proprietary D--LI109 Lithion-ion
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable AA (Alkaline, NiMH, Lithium) or optional D-LI109 Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable 4 x AA Lithium disposables
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes No
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: PhotofunStudio 6.2 HD, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE, Super LoiloScope (trial), USB Driver Software CDROM (SILKYPIX Developer Studio for PENTAX included)
OS Compatibility: Windows, Mac OS  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Most compact CSC from Panasonic yet; 460K-dot touch-screen LCD, 1920x1080@60i and 1280x720@60p HD movies. Available in black, white, red, pink, and brown. Entry-level model: Similar to K-50 in IQ and performance, but not weather sealed, comes with 4 Energizer lithium AAs, and only available in black.