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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Later Model is Panasonic G2
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic G1 versus Pentax K-5, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the resolutions of the G1 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the G1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The G1 was announced 23 months earlier than the K-5 making them a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the G1 matches up versus the K-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Pentax K-5

 G1 K-5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic G1

 K-5 G1 
LaunchedDecember 2010January 2009More modern by 23 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Pentax K-5

 G1 K-5 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic G1 offers external measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") with a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic G1 versus Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the G1 compared to the K-5.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the G1 and K-5 is 82 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by checking out a spec sheet. The picture here may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the G1 and K-5.

Clearly, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The G1 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-5 will produce more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics more aggressively. The more aged G1 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
57
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low MP (12MP)
73
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G1 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 Street photography features
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
33
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G1 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
62
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (12MP)
65
weather proofing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
78
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 Vlogging factors
18
can't record video
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G1 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1Pentax K-5
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Pentax K-5
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-01-19 2010-12-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1920x1080
Video file format - Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 360 gr (0.79 pounds) 740 gr (1.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 53 82
DXO Color Depth score 21.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 14.1
DXO Low light score 463 1162
Other
Battery life 330 pictures 980 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $0 $800