Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic GF7

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Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic GF7

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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.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GF7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GF7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GF7.
Compare Panasonic GF7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GF7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-3 II
Compare K-3 vs K-3 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX850
Compare GF7 vs GX850

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs PANASONIC GX850

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Panasonic GF7

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
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 230 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
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
Higher max flash sync
1/180 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.14 vs 0.24 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More pixels
24.4 vs 16.0 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
Bigger JPEG buffer
75 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Pentax K-3

Less expensive
$600 vs $1150 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
33 mm vs 77 mm
Thinner
Lighter weight
342g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Slow-motion videos
Neither provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-3 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GF7 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-3

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

All K-3 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GF7

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Pink)

All GF7 Deals

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

Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.
Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.
Read our Panasonic GF7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$690
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic GF7

Nikon D7100

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$690
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF7 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 GF7

Nikon D5300

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Pentax K-3

Panasonic GM5

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7200

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1016
APS-C

Fast startup
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7200

Panasonic GF7

Nikon D7200

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$1016
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Nikon D7200

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Pentax K-3

Panasonic GX850

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$548
4/3

Less expensive
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

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