• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800

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Differences

Panasonic GH3 advantages over Pentax Q-S1

  • 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.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.75 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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 540 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 460k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 12.4 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    6.1 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Pentax Q-S1 advantages over Panasonic GH3

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $1300 (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
  • Thinner
    34 mm vs 82 mm
    Thinner
  • Higher max flash sync
    1/2000 vs 1/160 sec
    Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
  • Lighter weight
    203g vs 555g
    Lighter weight
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

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
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • 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
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Professional quality video in a compact body; Still image quality ranks with the best mirrorless models and even some prosumer DSLRs; Fast autofocus; Rugged, weatherized camera build; Reasonably priced for its advanced feature set; Large selection of high quality lenses.

  • Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras; Live View not available during high speed bursts; High ISO image quality and dynamic range not quite as good as top APS-C cameras.

  • Read our Panasonic GH3 Review

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic G5

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic G5
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Fast startup
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Higher-res screen

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic G5

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic G5
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic G5

Compared to Pentax Q7

Panasonic GH3
Pentax Q7
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $380
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Pentax Q7

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

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Pentax Q7

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH3
Olympus E-M1
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Olympus E-M1

Pentax Q-S1
Olympus E-M1
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $1099
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3
Panasonic GH4
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Panasonic GH4

Pentax Q-S1
Panasonic GH4
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Lens selection

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Panasonic GH4

Compared to Nikon S2

Panasonic GH3
Nikon S2
  • $798
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Larger sensor
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH3 vs Nikon S2

Pentax Q-S1
Nikon S2
  • $350
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 1 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Pentax Q-S1 vs Nikon S2

Compare Other Cameras?