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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
82
Imaging
47
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Launched January 2009
  • Replacement is Panasonic G2
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic G1 versus Pentax K-r, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G1 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very similar but the G1 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The G1 was brought out 3 years prior to the K-r and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a complete comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the G1 scores vs the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Pentax K-r

 G1 K-r 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic G1

 K-r G1 
LaunchedMarch 2011January 2009More recent by 26 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Pentax K-r

 G1 K-r 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic G1 features outside measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") with a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic G1 versus Pentax K-r in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view scale comparison of the G1 against the K-r.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the G1 and K-r is 82 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specs. The visual underneath may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the G1 and K-r.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact resolution but different sensor measurements. The G1 features the tinier sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The older G1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic G1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
58
you can focus manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G1 Street photography details
Pentax K-r Street photography details
72
screen articulates fully
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G1
Sports photography with Pentax K-r
33
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
terrible battery power (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-r Travel photography factors
62
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
47
flash built-in
terrible battery power (470 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G1 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
58
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
65
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
terrible battery power (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
18
no video
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G1 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Pentax K-r
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-01-19 2011-03-11
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 360 grams (0.79 lb) 598 grams (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 53 72
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 12.4
DXO Low light rating 463 755
Other
Battery life 330 photographs 470 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $0 $1,100