• APS-C 368.2mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  •  

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Differences

Pentax K20D 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
    ~ 5.05 vs 3.77 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.40 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 530 vs 270 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • Less shutter lag
    0.17 vs 0.29 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    38 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Panasonic G3 advantages over Pentax K20D

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 70 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    460k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    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
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    3.4 fps vs 2.8 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

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
  • 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

The Competition

Compared to Samsung GX-20

Pentax K20D
Samsung GX-20
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Pentax K20D vs Samsung GX-20

Panasonic G3
Samsung GX-20
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Samsung GX-20

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K20D
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D 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 Pentax K-7

Pentax K20D
Pentax K-7
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Longer stills battery life
  • HDMI out

Compare Pentax K20D vs Pentax K-7

Panasonic G3
Pentax K-7
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G3 vs Pentax K-7

Compared to Olympus E-M5

Pentax K20D
Olympus E-M5
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $900
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K20D 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 K20D
Panasonic GX7
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor
  • $648
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K20D 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

Compare Other Cameras?