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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic G2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 428g - 124 x 84 x 74mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Superseded the Panasonic G1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G3
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Below is a complete overview of the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-5, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the G2 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the G2 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) have different sensor sizes.

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The G2 was brought out 5 months prior to the K-5 so they are both of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the G2 grades against the K-5 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax K-5

 G2 K-5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic G2

 K-5 G2 
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-5

 G2 K-5 
ReleasedJuly 2010December 2010Same age
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic G2 enjoys exterior measurements of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") with a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the G2 versus the K-5.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the G2 and K-5 is 72 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to picture the difference in sensor measurements only by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic here will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the G2 and K-5.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The G2 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 will render extra detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs way more aggressively.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Portrait photography camera
60
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
megapixel count low (12MP)
73
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography details
Pentax K-5 Street photography details
65
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition (428g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
max fps very slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
has no phase detect auto focus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 Travel photography details
58
comes with focus via touch
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (428 grams)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
65
environment proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
57
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
78
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 Vlogging factors
61
selfie friendly screen
has touchscreen
has face detect focus
does have microphone port
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
more heavy than competition (428 grams)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes external mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax K-5
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-07-12 2010-12-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
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
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 11.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 428 grams (0.94 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 53 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 14.1
DXO Low light rating 493 1162
Other
Battery life 360 shots 980 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $1,000 $800