Pentax K-7 vs Panasonic G3

Cameras
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Pentax K-7 vs Panasonic G3

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APS-C 369.7mm²
14.6 megapixels
ISO 100 - 3200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-7 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-7.

4/3 224.9mm²
16.0 megapixels

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G3 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the G3.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5
Compare K-7 vs K-5

Succeeded by the Panasonic G5
Compare G3 vs G5

Compare PENTAX K-5 vs PANASONIC G5

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Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Panasonic G3

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.07 vs 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 1.4 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

740 vs 270 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
921k vs 460k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Less shutter lag
0.09 vs 0.29 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Faster JPEG shooting
5.2 fps vs 3.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
20 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic G3 advantages over Pentax K-7

Less expensive
$700 vs $1300 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
G3 test data on DxO Mark K-7 test data on DxO Mark

667 vs 536 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
Thinner
46 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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

Focus peaking
Neither provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
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
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

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Review Excerpt

Read our Pentax K-7 Full Review

Read our Panasonic G3 Full Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7

Sony DSLR-A380

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Longer stills battery life

$849
APS-C

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Panasonic G3

Sony DSLR-A380

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$849
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7

Canon T2i

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Panasonic G3

Canon T2i

$700
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$692
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7

Sony A55

$1300
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$734
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Panasonic G3

Sony A55

$700
4/3

Lens selection
Less expensive

$734
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Sony A55

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Pentax K-7

Olympus E-M5

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$900
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Olympus E-M5

Panasonic G3

Olympus E-M5

$700
4/3

Internal flash
More viewfinder magnification

$900
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Olympus E-M5

Compared to Panasonic GX7

Pentax K-7

Panasonic GX7

$1300
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Panasonic GX7

Panasonic G3

Panasonic GX7

$700
4/3

Less expensive

$648
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Panasonic GX7

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