• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax K-3 advantages over Panasonic GX850

  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 2.0 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Higher effective ISO
    1,216 vs 586 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 560 vs 210 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 0.23 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 None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    24 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    51200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX850 advantages over Pentax K-3

  • Less expensive
    $550 vs $1150 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • 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
  • Newer
    7 years vs 10 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Lighter weight
    336g 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
    9.3 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    114 vs 75 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.5 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in 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

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-3

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX850

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

  • Impressive image quality; Sleek design; 4K video recording; Good overall performance; Tilting touchscreen; Enjoyable user experience.

  • No EVF; No hot shoe, Short 4K clip limit; MicroSD card slot, Poor battery life.

The Competition

Compared to Nikon D7100

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7100
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
Panasonic GX850
Nikon D7100
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $695
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Panasonic GX850
Nikon D5300
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Pentax K-3
Panasonic GM5
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GM5
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Fast startup

Compared to Panasonic GF7

Pentax K-3
Panasonic GF7
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Panasonic GX850
Panasonic GF7
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
  • $590
  • 4/3
  • Fast startup
  • Has anti-aliasing filter

Compared to Nikon D7200

Pentax K-3
Nikon D7200
  • $699
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
Panasonic GX850
Nikon D7200
  • $548
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $1043
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
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