Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic FZ80

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Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic FZ80

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APS-C 366.6mm²
24.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-3 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-3 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-3.
Compare Pentax K-3 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-3 conclusion.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
18.1 megapixels
20.00mm - 1200.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ80 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ80.

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Panasonic FZ80

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 3.91 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

560 vs 330 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Thinner
77 mm vs 119 mm
Thinner
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
More viewfinder magnification
0.63x vs 0.46x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
24.4 vs 18.1 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 None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ80 advantages over Pentax K-3

Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Newer
8 years vs 11 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Tiltable Screen
Neither provide
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
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
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read FZ80 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Panasonic FZ80

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Review Excerpt

Top-notch image quality; Great ergonomics in a compact body; Unique on-demand low-pass filtering; Broad sensitivity range; Large and bright viewfinder for an APS-C camera; Dual card slots; Optional Wi-Fi remote control
AE Lock button is poorly located; Below-average battery life for a DSLR; Rather dated-looking menu system; Requires a different battery grip accessory than its predecessors; Less third-party support than some rivals
Read our Pentax K-3 Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic FZ80, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Panasonic FZ80 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$750
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic FZ80

Nikon D7100

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$750
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Nikon D5300

Pentax K-3

Nikon D5300

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D5300

Panasonic FZ80

Nikon D5300

$348
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Fujifilm S1

Pentax K-3

Fujifilm S1

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$349
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Fujifilm S1

Panasonic FZ80

Fujifilm S1

$348
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$349
1/2.3 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Slower slow-motion

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Fujifilm S1

Compared to Sony HX400V

Pentax K-3

Sony HX400V

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$448
1/2.3 inch

In-camera panoramas
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Sony HX400V

Panasonic FZ80

Sony HX400V

$348
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$448
1/2.3 inch

Tiltable Screen
NFC

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Sony HX400V

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1021
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic FZ80

Nikon D7200

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$1021
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ80 vs Nikon D7200

Compare Other Cameras?