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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
82
Imaging
46
Features
50
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Panasonic G1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • No Video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 360g - 124 x 84 x 45mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Updated by Panasonic G2
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic G1 and Pentax K20D, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G1 (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively similar but the G1 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The G1 was revealed 7 months later than the K20D and they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a short view of how the G1 grades against the K20D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G1 over the Pentax K20D

 G1 K20D 
AnnouncedJanuary 2009June 2008More recent by 7 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic G1

 K20D G1 

Common features in the Panasonic G1 and Pentax K20D

 G1 K20D 
Manually focus More exact focus
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G1 provides external measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") having a weight of 360 grams (0.79 lbs) whilst the Pentax K20D has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G1 and Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the G1 and the K20D.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the G1 and K20D is 82 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The visual below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the G1 and K20D.

All in all, each of these cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The G1 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K20D will offer more detail because of its extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The fresher G1 provides an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Portrait photography camera
57
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
low resolution (12MP)
71
focusing manually
decent megapixels (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G1
Street photography with Pentax K20D
72
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G1 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
33
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Travel photography camera
62
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
no Time Lapse function
low resolution (12 megapixels)
64
weather proof
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K20D Landscape photography advice
57
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
low resolution (12MP)
no Time Lapse function
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proof
screen is small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G1 Vlogging details
Pentax K20D Vlogging details
18
no video recording
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic G1 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G1 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Pentax K20D
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-01-19 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 3200 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Max video resolution None None
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 360g (0.79 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 1.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 53 65
DXO Color Depth rating 21.1 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 11.1
DXO Low light rating 463 639
Other
Battery life 330 images -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $0 $700