Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax K-5 IIs: A Thorough Comparison for Serious Photographers

If you’ve been hunting for a capable, somewhat specialized camera - but find yourself torn between the Panasonic Lumix GH5S and the Pentax K-5 IIs - you’re in the right place. These two cameras hail from very different generations and design philosophies, yet each carries features that continue to attract serious enthusiasts and pros. I’ve logged hundreds of hours shooting with both bodies. I’m here to unpack the technical nitty-gritty, real-world usability, and who each camera truly serves best.

Let’s deep dive into what makes these cameras tick, and see if one might be your next imaging partner.

Body Style and Ergonomics: Compact Video-Centric vs Traditional SLR Feel

At first glance, size and handling set the tone. The GH5S is a 2018 pro mirrorless model with a boxy, modular SLR-style frame. It’s designed for video-first shooters but also packs all the classic photography controls you’d expect. Weighing 660g and measuring 139x98x87mm, it’s surprisingly compact given the professional feature set.

By comparison, the Pentax K-5 IIs is a mid-size DSLR from 2013, tipping the scales at 760g and fitting a slightly smaller body footprint (131x97x73mm). Its build channels traditional DSLR ergonomics and the reassuring heft of a once-top-tier APS-C camera. Think: solid grip, classically placed controls, and an optical pentaprism viewfinder.

Both cameras offer APS-C or smaller sensors (more on that later), but ergonomically, the GH5S feels tailored for content creators who want quick access to video controls alongside still capture. The K-5 IIs is a no-nonsense DSLR with that familiar shutter speed dial, mode dial, and a classic two-dial system that many photographers still swear by.

If you frequently switch between photo and video modes, or prioritize a fully articulated touchscreen (GH5S), the Panasonic handily wins. Meanwhile, the K-5’s traditional layout and slightly larger grip appeal to those who prefer an analog DSLR experience.

Sensor and Image Quality: Low-Light Specialist vs High-Resolution APS-C

Sensor tech is where these two cameras tell very different stories.

The GH5S features a 10.2MP 4/3” (17.3x13mm) CMOS sensor without an anti-aliasing filter (good for sharp images). What’s unique: it’s low-resolution compared to modern standards but optimized for extraordinary high ISO performance up to 204,800 (boosted). That 2.1x crop factor means lenses behave like telephoto shooters, excellent for wildlife and sports. However, landscapes or portraits might feel limited by resolution alone.

On the other hand, the Pentax K-5 IIs houses a 16.3MP APS-C sensor (23.7x15.7mm) - larger and higher resolution than the GH5S - also sans AA filter, providing crisp detail. DXOMark rates this sensor with a notable 82 overall score, favorable color depth (23.9 bits), dynamic range (14.1 stops), and low-light sensitivity (ISO 1208). A versatile sensor for portraits, landscapes, and general use.

For standard photography, higher resolution combined with APS-C’s better light-gathering usually trumps smaller, specialized sensors. But the GH5S’ sensor, paired with its Venus Engine 10 processor, delivers stunning low light video and stills performance from ISO 160 up to extreme values, with relatively clean shadows and usable color for its class.

Autofocus Systems: Hybrid Mirrorless vs Classic DSLR

Each camera’s autofocus offers a window into its era and focus.

The Panasonic GH5S’s contrast-detection AF system is dense with 225 focus points and features face detection and touch-to-focus on its articulated screen. Continuous AF and tracking perform well in video and stills, but it lacks phase detection, making focus hunting past certain lighting situations possible, though improved with firmware over time.

The K-5 IIs runs an older Pentax 11-point DSLR phase-detection AF system, with 9 cross-type points for accuracy. It offers solid focus speed for the era, especially when paired with fast lenses. However, it lacks face detection or eye AF, typical for its generation. Autofocus speed feels twitchy when used live view, which relies on contrast detection only.

If autofocus speed for action, wildlife, or video is mission-critical, the GH5S, despite lacking phase detection, offers smoother focusing experience, especially with Panasonic lenses designed for the Micro Four Thirds system. Yet, the K-5’s classic phase AF still shines in fast still shooting with an optical viewfinder.

Prints, Portraits, and Bokeh: How Do These Look?

For portrait photographers, how does each camera handle skin tones, sharpness, and that creamy out-of-focus background?

Given the 10MP sensor and smaller size, the GH5S isn’t about ultra-high-resolution portraits. However, the micro four-thirds lenses available for it are excellent optically, and Panasonic’s color science renders skin tones warm and natural. Its Multi AF face detection does its job well, but you’ll want to be mindful of shooting near the sensor’s base sensitivity (ISO 160) to optimize detail and minimize noise.

Bokeh (the quality of out-of-focus areas) suffers slightly from the smaller sensor - you won’t get that shallow depth-of-field feeling easily. The crop factor means you often need longer telephoto lenses to mimic the look produced on full-frame or APS-C.

Pentax K-5 IIs, with its larger APS-C sensor and lack of AA filter, produces remarkably sharp portraits with a more pronounced depth of field falloff at equivalent focal lengths and apertures. Skin tones are slightly cooler but extremely accurate, leaning toward natural color reproduction.

Both cameras cover basics like manual white balance and exposure compensation well - important for portrait work - but the K-5 IIs edges out naturally for portraits, given its sensor size and active optical viewfinder framing.

Display and Interface: Modern Touchscreen vs Fixed LCD

User interface can significantly affect your day shooting.

The GH5S comes with a fully articulated 3.2-inch touchscreen, boasting 1.62 million dots. This screen is bright, fully touch-enabled for autofocus and menu navigation, and excellent when shooting video at odd angles or selfies. You’ll appreciate the flexibility here if you do run-and-gun or sync video and stills.

In contrast, the K-5 IIs has a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with 921k dots, no touch capabilities, and slightly limited brightness. It’s perfectly usable for reviewing photos but quite outdated by today's standards. Navigating menus is all done by buttons and dials, with some photographers appreciating the tactile feedback but others finding it slower.

If you’re accustomed to touch focusing, swiping, and quick playback gestures, GH5S wins hands down. However, many K-5 purists value the camera for simply showing the shot details plainly, without distractions.

Burst Rates and Sports/Wildlife Potential

For action photography - think sports or wildlife - speed and responsiveness are king.

The Panasonic GH5S does 12 frames per second (fps) in continuous shooting mode, a very respectable number for a mirrorless body with a relatively modest megapixel count. Its electronic shutter pushes speed to 1/16,000s and silent shooting reduces shutter noise, helping in wildlife contexts where discretion is key. Dual SD card slots with UHS-II support help for continuous overflow storage.

The Pentax K-5 IIs delivers a more moderate 7 fps. Not slow, but it belongs to DSLR technology of 2013 and lacks the higher frame rates demanded today. Only one card slot limits extended shooting, but the durability and weather sealing make it dependable for outdoor shooting.

For sports, fast autofocus combined with high FPS matters. Here, the GH5S is technically better at frame cycling – plus, Micro 4/3 lenses are smaller and lighter for travel-friendly telephotos. Pentax’s fewer focus points and slower speed are better for less demanding bursts or carefully composed moments.

Versatility for Street and Travel Photography

Street photographers and travelers often prioritize discretion, portability, and battery life.

At 660g, the GH5S is lighter than the 760g K-5 IIs but bulkier (depth-wise). The articulated screen of the GH5S is a huge plus for street shooting from waist level or awkward angles. Plus, silent electronic shutter modes mean you can shoot discreetly without much fuss.

The K-5 IIs, despite heavier weight, sits nicely balanced in the hand and draws minimal attention for a pro DSLR. Its optical viewfinder is excellent for bright sunlight. Battery life favors the Pentax vastly - 980 shots compared to GH5S’s 440, meaning fewer battery swaps or recharges.

If you agitate for portability but still want robust video and stills capabilities, GH5S edges street/travel photography, especially if you’re a hybrid shooter. If you’re purely stills and prefer grip and classic DSLR handling with longer-lasting juice, the K-5 IIs remains an affordable, tough option.

Panasonic GH5S front Panasonic GH5S screen back Pentax K 5 IIs front Pentax K 5 IIs screen back

Image Sample Review: What The Pictures Show Us

Looking at galleries side by side, you can see each camera’s strengths.

The GH5S’s 10MP image files are a bit softer on pixel-level inspection, but subject isolation holds nicely due to telephoto focal length (from crop). Color in challenging light is faithful, especially skin tones in subdued light. Noise control at ISO 6400 and beyond surprises for such a modest sensor.

The K-5 IIs exports larger, sharper files full of detail on architectural shots and landscapes. Color variety is rich and balanced. Shadows can be slightly noisier at high ISOs but still usable up to ISO 3200.

My everyday observation: GH5S excels where speed, video, and extreme low light matter; the Pentax is a detail-obsessed stills lover’s tool built for sharpness and color fidelity in typical light.

Video Capabilities: Panasonic Takes the Crown Hands Down

No contest between these two regarding video.

The Panasonic GH5S shines with 4K capture up to 60p at 150 Mbps, with excellent codec options (MOV, H.264, H.265), mic/headphone jacks, and advanced video functions like V-Log recording and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal capture in some firmware revisions. Its Dual Native ISO system especially benefits low light video by reducing noise and increasing dynamic range.

By contrast, the Pentax K-5 IIs is limited to 1080p at 25fps, and that too in Motion JPEG format - outdated and cumbersome. It has mic input but no headphone jack and lacks modern video features.

If video is even remotely on your radar, GH5S is the obvious pick. For still photographers who want occasional video, the K-5 IIs is lackluster in 2024.

Build Quality and Weather Sealing: Both Rugged but Different

Both cameras cater to pro and serious enthusiast users, so ruggedness is built in.

The Panasonic GH5S includes sealed construction against splashes and dust; though not fully waterproof, it survives tough environments well, essential for video shooters or wildlife journos.

Pentax K-5 IIs brought professional-grade weather-sealing when released and still performs admirably in the field with effective dust and moisture resistance. It’s a beast for outdoor use.

Personal note: I have used both in drizzle and dusty conditions; neither failed, but the GH5S’s modern sealing is arguably better engineered for long-term durability.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility

Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds mount offers a broad and growing catalogue - over 100 native lenses including stellar primes for portraits and fast telephotos with image stabilization.

The Pentax KAF2 mount supports around 150 lenses, many legacy models included, and offers access to K-mount lenses renowned for quality and affordability. However, some older lenses may lack modern AF or stabilization.

If you already own lenses or want to invest in video-centric glass (e.g., servo zooms), Panasonic suits better. For stills-focused, budget-friendly ops with lots of manual glass, Pentax’s ecosystem is robust and mature.

Battery Life, Storage, and Connectivity

GH5S uses the DMW-BLF19 battery for about 440 shots per charge, complemented by dual UHS-II card slots - excellent for overflow and backup, essential in professional workflows.

K-5 IIs impresses with 980 shots per battery, almost doubling GH5S, but only one card slot - a serious consideration for extended shoots.

Connectivity-wise, GH5S offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and transfers. The K-5 IIs lacks wireless but supports optional GPS addition.

USB 3.1 (GH5S) vs USB 2.0 (K-5 IIs) again shows the PANASONIC’s more modern approach.

Performance Summary

When tallying aspects like image quality, autofocus, responsiveness, video, and ergonomics, the GH5S records a solid score inversely for its specialized sensor and video prowess, while the K-5 IIs holds steady as a reliable, sharp APS-C shooter.

Keep in mind the GH5S’s lower resolution sensor can be a dealbreaker for some, despite stunning ISO capabilities. The K-5 IIs needs more light and demands more from its limited video feature set.

Genre-by-Genre Recommendations

• Portrait Photography: Pentax K-5 IIs for detail and depth; GH5S if video/4K portrait clips matter.
• Landscape Photography: Pentax K-5 IIs with larger sensor and higher resolution wins.
• Wildlife Photography: Panasonic GH5S’s crop factor and fast burst pull ahead.
• Sports Photography: GH5S for burst and video tracking.
• Street Photography: GH5S for silence and size; K-5 IIs for grip and battery.
• Macro Photography: Both competent; GH5S less so due to sensor size.
• Night/Astro Photography: GH5S’s high ISO advantage.
• Video: GH5S decisively.
• Travel Photography: GH5S for lighter weight & video; K-5 IIs for battery endurance.
• Professional Work: GH5S for hybrid video/still workflows.

Final Thoughts: Which Camera Should You Choose?

Both cameras feel like old friends to me, but your choice hinges on priorities.

• Choose Panasonic Lumix GH5S if: You need video-first, excellent low-light shooting, a rugged modern body with articulated touchscreen, and decent still image quality with exceptional video specs. Suited to multimedia pros, wildlife shooters wanting silent shutter, and content creators.

• Choose Pentax K-5 IIs if: You’re focused on still image quality with detailed, high-resolution APS-C files, prefer a classic DSLR experience with optical viewfinder, demand stellar battery life, and value affordability because of its older market price. Great for still photographers or enthusiasts wanting rugged durability without video bells and whistles.

In 2024, the GH5S still impresses for versatility, but the K-5 IIs remains a sharp tool for the right user.

Photography is as much a personal journey as a technical question, so I hope these insights help you visualize which camera fits your creative style and workflow best.

Happy shooting!