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Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
62
Imaging
50
Features
82
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5S
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 660g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Announced January 2018
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
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Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the sensor resolutions of the GH5S (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the GH5S (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH5S was launched 12 years after the ist DS2 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GH5S being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the GH5S matches up versus the ist DS2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5S over the Pentax ist DS2

 GH5S ist DS2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2018August 2005More modern by 151 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.5"Larger display (+0.7")
Display resolution1620k210kClearer display (+1410k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic GH5S

 ist DS2 GH5S 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5S and Pentax ist DS2

 GH5S ist DS2 
Manual focus More accurate focusing

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH5S enjoys external dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have at that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the GH5S versus the ist DS2.

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the GH5S and ist DS2 is 62 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing a spec sheet. The pic below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH5S and ist DS2.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GH5S due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic GH5S will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop images more aggressively. The younger GH5S will have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
62
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
low resolution (10 megapixels)
51
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
low MP (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5S as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
68
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
boasts touch focus
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
no image stabilization
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average (605g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Sports photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography information
56
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
no image stabilization
low resolution (10MP)
no phase detect autofocus
39
sensor size is good (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5S as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
61
environment proof
has bluetooth
boasts touch focus
display is selfie friendly
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution (10 megapixels)
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
low MP (6MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
63
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
no image stabilization
low resolution (10 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
47
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5S Vlogging info
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging info
68
display is selfie friendly
has touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone port
no image stabilization
22
lighter than average (605 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low quality video ( pixels)
missing mic support
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Panasonic GH5S vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5S and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5SPentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5S Pentax ist DS2
Type Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2018-01-08 2005-08-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine 10 -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3680 x 2760 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 51200 3200
Max enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 160 200
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 225 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,620 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash -
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Max video resolution 4096x2160 -
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 660 gr (1.46 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 440 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 10 secs w/3 images) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC cards (UHS-II V60 cards supported) SD/MMC card
Card slots 2 1
Cost at release $2,498 -