Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic G85

Cameras
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Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic G85

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 G85 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G85 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G85.
Compare Panasonic G85 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G85 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic G95
Compare G85 vs G95

Compare PENTAX K-3 II vs PANASONIC G95

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Panasonic G85

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
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.
K-3 test data on DxO Mark G85 test data on DxO Mark

1,216 vs 656 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
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
More telephoto lens reach
203 mm vs 120 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
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 None
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G85 advantages over Pentax K-3

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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
Lighter weight
728g vs 1240g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.74x vs 0.63x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
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
9.4 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 75 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.6 fps vs 7.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 24 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (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
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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
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

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 G85 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-135mm Lens

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Buy the Panasonic G85

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm Lens (Black)
Body Only (Black)

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; Very good high ISO performance and dynamic range; Fast and accurate autofocus; Excellent 4K video recording quality and features.
OLPF-less sensor is prone to moiré; Electronic viewfinder struggles in low light; Continuous autofocus is limited to 6fps shooting; Below average battery life.
Read our Panasonic G85 Review

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3

Nikon D7100

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$692
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Nikon D7100

Panasonic G85

Nikon D7100

$698
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$692
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Nikon D7100

Compared to Canon 70D

Pentax K-3

Canon 70D

$699
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$999
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Canon 70D

Panasonic G85

Canon 70D

$698
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$999
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Canon 70D

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 G85

Nikon D5300

$698
4/3

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Nikon D5300

Compared to Panasonic G7

Pentax K-3

Panasonic G7

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic G7

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G7

$698
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Fast startup

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G7

Compared to Panasonic G95

Pentax K-3

Panasonic G95

$699
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$765
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-3 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G85

Panasonic G95

$698
4/3

Bigger RAW buffer

$765
4/3

Built-in Bluetooth
Newer

Compare Panasonic G85 vs Panasonic G95

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