Panasonic Lumix S5 vs. Pentax K-01: A Deep Dive into Two Distinct Mirrorless Contenders

When it comes to mirrorless cameras, the choice on the market can be dizzying. Today, I’m matching two very different cameras head-to-head - the modern Panasonic Lumix S5 and the older Pentax K-01. The S5 arrives as a solid, versatile pro mirrorless with a full-frame sensor; the K-01 is an unconventional entry-level APS-C with a design that still intrigues enthusiasts. After extensive hands-on testing and a look under the hood at their capabilities, I want to guide you through their key differences, and what kind of photographer each camera suits best.

This article spans all major photography disciplines, from portraiture to wildlife, landscape to video, balancing technical analysis and real-world usability. I’ll integrate essential insights about sensor technology, autofocus, ergonomics, and more, to make this comparison truly comprehensive.

Before jumping into the details, check out this size and ergonomics comparison - the physical form factor speaks volumes about intended use and handling experience:

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s start with the fundamentals - sensor size, resolution, and performance. The Panasonic S5 boasts a full-frame CMOS sensor sized at 35.6 x 23.8 mm, offering 24 megapixels. In contrast, the Pentax K-01 packs an APS-C sensor at 23.7 x 15.7 mm with 16 megapixels. The difference in sensor area is substantial - 847.28 mm² for the S5 versus 372.09 mm² for the K-01 - more than double.

What does this mean in practice? Full-frame sensors capture more light, which inherently leads to better dynamic range, superior high ISO performance, and generally cleaner images. The Lumix S5 pushes a native ISO up to 51200 (extended to 204800), whereas the K-01 tops out at ISO 12800 (expandable to 25600). During my lab and field tests, the S5 maintained impressive noise control even at ISO 12800. The K-01, while competent for its era, quickly shows grit and noise at ISO levels beyond 3200.

The Panasonic's lack of an anti-aliasing filter contributes to its sharpness advantage, giving images a crisper look - a boon for landscape and studio shooters focused on detail. The K-01 includes the filter, which tends to smooth fine details slightly but can help reduce moiré in certain scenarios.

For those who prioritize image quality - portraits with delicate skin tone gradation, landscape shots capturing subtle tonal shifts - the S5 stands head and shoulders above the K-01. The older APS-C sensor design simply cannot match the dynamic range or color depth of the S5. However, the K-01's sensor resolution of 16MP is still enough for casual shooting and online sharing.

Ergonomics and User Interface: Controls That Keep You in Charge

Handling and ease of use often slip under the radar in specs sheets, but they profoundly affect shooting comfort. The Lumix S5 was designed with professionals and serious hobbyists in mind. It features a robust SLR-style mirrorless body, weighing about 714 grams, and sporting a fully articulating 3-inch touchscreen LCD at 1840k dots. The touchscreen responsiveness and customization options make the camera feel modern and fast in the field.

By comparison, the Pentax K-01 is noticeably lighter at 561 grams and smaller in physical dimensions (122 x 79 x 58 mm versus S5’s 133 x 97 x 82 mm), but its ergonomics are less refined. The K-01 uses a fixed 3-inch TFT LCD with only 921k dots and no touchscreen capabilities. This limits menu navigation speed and liveview focusing techniques.

Here’s a side-by-side of the top design and control layouts to further clarify:

While both cameras offer shutter and aperture priority modes, full manual exposure, and exposure compensation, the S5’s controls are better spaced and more intuitive. The S5 includes dedicated dials for ISO, exposure compensation, and more, allowing you to keep your eye on the viewfinder while tweaking settings rapidly. The K-01 has a more minimalist approach but can feel clunky when fast adjustments are needed.

No electronic viewfinder on the K-01 limits compositional options outdoors, especially in bright sunlight, where the Panasonic’s 2360k-dot EVF provides a crisp, bright preview with 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification. Portrait and street photographers will appreciate this significant advantage.

For interface comparison, take a look at the back LCD views:

The S5’s articulating screen aids low and high angle shooting - a huge plus in macro, video, and creative genres. The K-01’s fixed screen restricts flexibility but keeps body size down.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance: Speed, Accuracy, and Tracking

Autofocus systems separate the champions from mere participants in fast-paced photography like wildlife, sports, and event shooting. Panasonic’s S5 offers a 225-point contrast detection AF with face detection and eye AF for humans (though no animal eye AF). Pentax K-01 uses contrast detection only with 81 focus points; it lacks eye AF and reliable tracking features.

Hands-on, I found the S5’s autofocus faster and more reliable across varied lighting. It consistently locked on to the subject’s eye in portrait mode, which greatly enhances the keeper rate. The K-01 autofocus was a less confident, hunting operation - especially in continuous AF mode or under low light.

Continuous burst shooting speed favors the S5 as well, at 7 fps, compared to 6 fps on the K-01. While neither camera is a sports-high-speed specialist, this difference still impacts capturing fleeting moments, where every frame counts.

The K-01’s lack of phase-detection AF (popular in many modern cameras) holds it back. Panasonic’s contrast-based system, while not the fastest in market, is supported by powerful algorithms that perform beautifully - especially with lens synergy in the Leica L mount system.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance: Durability for the Demands of Pro Work

Physical durability is a critical factor for outdoor, travel, and professional photographers who can’t afford downtime.

The Panasonic Lumix S5 features environmental sealing against dust and moisture, though it’s not fully waterproof or shockproof. This weather resistance encourages confidence shooting in challenging conditions like rain, dust, or cold environments.

Pentax K-01, dating back to 2012, offers no weather sealing or ruggedness claims. Its plastic exterior and build quality are functional but feel less substantial under heavy handling.

When durability and reliability on job sites or hiking trails are priorities, the S5’s build quality clearly adds to its value proposition.

Lens Ecosystem and Mount Compatibility: Flexibility and Expansion

Lens availability can make or break a system. The Panasonic S5 uses the Leica L mount - open to lenses from Panasonic, Leica, and Sigma, with currently 31 native lenses. This is a growing, high-quality ecosystem covering everything from ultra-wide angles to fast primes and telephotos, well suited for all genres - macro, landscape, portrait, and sports.

In contrast, the Pentax K-01 employs the older Pentax KAF2 mount with an extensive catalogue of 151 lenses including legacy prime and zoom options with a 1.5x crop factor multiplier. While this provides broader legacy access, the lens designs tend to skew older, and availability of modern autofocus lenses is more limited.

The K-01’s lens ecosystem is appealing for entry-level users or those invested in Pentax glass but lacks the modern optical advances, especially in autofocus speed and image stabilization, present in L-mount partners of the S5.

Battery Life and Storage: Practicalities for Extended Shooting

On paper, the Pentax K-01 offers a longer rated battery life at 540 shots per charge compared to Panasonic S5’s 440 shots. However, in real-world testing, the S5’s USB charging and support for power banks easily extend working hours. This flexibility reinforces its suitability for long shoots and travel.

The S5 also boasts dual SD card slots (supporting SDHC/SDXC), enabling in-camera backup, overflow, or separation of JPEG and RAW files - essential for professionals who cannot risk card failure. The K-01 has only a single SD slot.

Connectivity and Wireless Features: Modern Workflow Integration

Connectivity halos modern production workflow and remote control. The S5 includes built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, which worked seamlessly with Panasonic’s mobile apps for remote shooting and quick file transfers during my testing.

The K-01 lacks any wireless connectivity, relying on USB 2.0 for file transfers. This limitation dates the camera and reduces its attractiveness for photographers who want instant sharing or tethered shooting.

Video Capabilities: Diversifying Your Creative Output

If video is a priority, Panasonic’s S5 shines. It supports 4K UHD recording at up to 60p with 10-bit 4:2:0 internal recording, and HEVC H.265 codec options for efficient storage. Microphone and headphone ports give full audio control, plus image stabilization mitigates handheld shake in video. The S5 even handles 4K/6K photo modes, capturing stills at high frame rates from video streams.

Pentax K-01 records 1080p video at up to 30 fps only. Audio input is available via microphone port - quite notable for an entry-level camera in 2012 - but slow autofocus in video and lack of stabilization hamper its practical use for today’s videographers.

How They Stack Up Across Photography Genres

The ultimate test is their real-world usefulness by photography type. Here’s a summarized analysis, also illustrated in this genre-specific performance chart:

• Portraits: Panasonic S5’s eye AF, full-frame sensor, and bokeh-rich lenses ensure superior skin tones and subject isolation versus K-01’s APS-C with limited AF.
• Landscape: S5’s dynamic range and weather sealing make it a natural choice for harsh conditions and high-detail landscapes.
• Wildlife/Sports: Neither excels for pro sports, but Panasonic’s faster AF and burst speed provide clear advantages.
• Street: K-01’s smaller size and lighter weight may appeal but lack of EVF hampers fast, candid shooting.
• Macro: Panasonic’s articulating screen, 5-axis stabilization, and better lens options enable superior macro work.
• Night/Astro: Full-frame sensor with high ISO prowess and longer shutter speed range favor S5 for astrophotography.
• Video: Panasonic S5 hands down, with 4K at 60p and better audio options.
• Travel: While K-01 packs lighter, S5’s greater versatility, weather sealing, and battery recharge capabilities dominate.
• Professional Use: S5’s reliability, dual cards, and workflow-friendly design place it firmly in professional territory; K-01 remains entry-level.

For a direct comparison of sample image quality (both JPEG and RAW), here is a gallery from my test sessions:

Panasonic S5 front Panasonic S5 screen back Pentax K 01 front Pentax K 01 screen back

Overall Performance Ratings and Value Assessment

Here is a consolidated view of their overall scores based on extensive testing metrics and image quality parameters:

The Panasonic S5 ranks considerably higher, reflecting its robustness, quality, and versatility. The Pentax K-01 scores represent its respectable but dated entry-level status.

From a price-to-performance standpoint, the S5’s $1999 retail price places it in the competitive full-frame mirrorless market. Its value shines for professionals and advanced enthusiasts who demand high-quality imaging and video from a single body.

The K-01, available around $899 used or new from select outlets, targets entry-level buyers or collectors attracted by its retro flair and Pentax legacy lens compatibility. However, its dated features and lower performance limit appeal for anyone wanting a modern hybrid system.

Which One Should You Choose? Recommendations for Every Photographer

If you are a professional or serious enthusiast, the Panasonic Lumix S5 is the clear winner. It delivers cutting-edge sensor technology, solid build quality, a mature autofocus system, rich video features, and a growing ecosystem of modern lenses. It’s a camera you can rely on across genres - from studio portraits and landscapes to video production.

If you are a budget-conscious beginner, drawn to the Pentax K-01’s distinctive styling and want access to an extensive Pentax lens lineup, or prefer an APS-C sensor for telephoto reach and smaller file sizes, the K-01 can fulfill basic shooting needs. Just be prepared to accept slower autofocus, lower ISO performance, and limited video capabilities.

Final Thoughts: Two Cameras from Different Eras For Distinct Needs

While the Panasonic Lumix S5 and Pentax K-01 are both mirrorless and SLR-styled, they represent two different eras and philosophies. The S5 leverages the benefits of modern sensor tech, powerful software algorithms, and professional features to serve today’s demanding photography and video workflows. The Pentax K-01, meanwhile, is a quirky, early mirrorless experiment with solid core imaging but limited by its age and design constraints.

I’ve personally tested both extensively - spanning dozens of shooting scenarios, focusing in challenging light, and pushing their limits in burst and video. My advice? Prioritize what matters most to your photography journey now and down the road: sensor quality? Autofocus speed? Lens access? Weather sealing? Only then will you find that the right camera is not just a tool, but a reliable creative partner.

If you want to explore further details or see sample images and full test notes, I encourage you to check out manufacturer sites and third-party lens reviews. But based on hands-on experience and technical analysis, the Lumix S5 stands as the more modern, flexible, and future-proof mirrorless camera for the vast majority of users.

Summary Table

This detailed comparison should guide you in choosing the mirrorless system that best aligns with your photography ambitions, budget, and need for future growth. Happy shooting!