• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  •  
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic GF3 advantages over Pentax Q7

  • Lens selection
    Excellent vs Limited
    Better lens selection gives you more options
  • Larger sensor
    4/3 vs 1/1.7 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.33 vs 1.90 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 340 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    20 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Pentax Q7 advantages over Panasonic GF3

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • More telephoto lens reach
    69 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • 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
  • Wider angle kit lens
    23 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 3.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • 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
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Buy the Panasonic GF3

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Buy the Pentax Q7
Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Kit with 5-15mm Lens
  • Body Only
  • Kit with 5-15mm and 15-45mm Lenses
All Q7 Deals

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.

  • Read our Panasonic GF3 Review
  • We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax Q7, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
  • See our Pentax Q7 First Shots

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GF2

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Faster JPEG shooting
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Fast startup

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF2

Pentax Q7
Panasonic GF2
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $617
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Panasonic GF2

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF3X
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF3X

Pentax Q7
Panasonic GF3X
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Panasonic GF3X

Compared to Panasonic GF5

Panasonic GF3
Panasonic GF5
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Panasonic GF5

Pentax Q7
Panasonic GF5
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Panasonic GF5

Compared to Nikon S2

Panasonic GF3
Nikon S2
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Nikon S2

Pentax Q7
Nikon S2
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Nikon S2

Compared to Pentax Q-S1

Panasonic GF3
Pentax Q-S1
  • $675
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GF3 vs Pentax Q-S1

Pentax Q7
Pentax Q-S1
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch

Compare Pentax Q7 vs Pentax Q-S1

Compare Other Cameras?