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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
72
Imaging
47
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Launched July 2010
  • Previous Model is Panasonic G1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G3
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the G2 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the G2 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The G2 was announced 3 years before the K-5 IIs and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief summary of how the G2 scores versus the K-5 IIs when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 G2 K-5 IIs 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic G2

 K-5 IIs G2 
RevealedJune 2013July 2010More recent by 35 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 G2 K-5 IIs 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurement

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic G2 offers exterior dimensions of 124mm x 84mm x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") having a weight of 428 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the G2 vs the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

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

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by going through specs. The graphic here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the G2 and K-5 IIs.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The G2 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-5 IIs will provide extra detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The older G2 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography advice
60
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focusing
saves RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic G2
Street photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
65
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
includes focus by touch
does not have image stabilization
heavier than competition (428g)
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic G2
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
doesn't have phase detect AF
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography info
58
includes focus by touch
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (428g)
low MP (12MP)
65
environment proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
57
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
saves RAW files
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging info
61
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
provides face detection focusing
has external mic support
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
heavier than competition (428g)
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-07-12 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II 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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 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
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428g (0.94 pounds) 760g (1.68 pounds)
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 All around score 53 82
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 14.1
DXO Low light score 493 1208
Other
Battery life 360 pictures 980 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $1,000 $749