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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Succeeded the Panasonic G1
  • Later Model is Panasonic G3
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the G2 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the G2 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) feature different sensor measurements.

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The G2 was manufactured 6 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a in depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the G2 matches up vs the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax K-1

 G2 K-1 
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic G2

 K-1 G2 
LaunchedFebruary 2016July 2010More recent by 68 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kClearer display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-1

 G2 K-1 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic G2 offers external measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") and a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at the time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the G2 versus the K-1.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the G2 and K-1 is 72 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to picture the difference in sensor measurements simply by looking through specifications. The visual here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the G2 and K-1.

Plainly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The G2 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will result in more detail due to its extra 24MP. Greater resolution will let you crop images far more aggressively. The older G2 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
85
manual focus
MP count high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography factors
Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
65
fully articulated screen
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
features touch to focus
no image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (428 grams)
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
great ISO range (204,800)
heavier than others in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G2
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
40
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.4 frames per second)
not so great battery power (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-1 Travel photography info
58
features touch to focus
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition in class (428 grams)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
53
environment proofing
MP count high (36MP)
not so great battery power (760 CIPA)
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography highlights
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
no image stabilization
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
81
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count high (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great ISO range (204,800)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
2 card slots
not so great battery power (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-1 Vlogging highlights
61
display is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
comes with microphone port
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
more heavy than competition in class (428g)
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic support
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than others in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax K-1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-07-12 2016-02-17
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 11.00 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 53 96
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 14.6
DXO Low light rating 493 3280
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 760 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One 2
Retail pricing $1,000 $1,499