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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
72
Imaging
48
Features
60
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Replaced the Panasonic G1
  • Newer Model is Panasonic G3
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic G2 versus Pentax K-r, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G2 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively well matched but the G2 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The G2 was announced 8 months earlier than the K-r which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic G2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a simple overview of how the G2 scores versus the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G2 over the Pentax K-r

 G2 K-r 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic G2

 K-r G2 
IntroducedMarch 2011July 2010More modern by 8 months
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-r

 G2 K-r 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic G2 offers physical 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-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") having a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic G2 versus Pentax K-r in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the G2 versus the K-r.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G2 and K-r is 72 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be difficult to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The image here may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the G2 and K-r.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The G2 has got the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field harder. The more aged G2 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
60
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G2 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
65
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides touch to focus
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (428g)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G2 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
40
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
no phase detect AF
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Travel photography camera
58
provides touch to focus
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
47
built-in flash
not so great battery power (470 shots)
megapixel count low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G2 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
57
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
missing Timelapse function
65
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
61
screen is selfie friendly
built-in touchscreen
has face detection focusing
does have external microphone socket
no image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than competitors in class (428 grams)
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic G2 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G2 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Pentax K-r
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-07-12 2011-03-11
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 11.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 428 grams (0.94 pounds) 598 grams (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 84 x 74mm (4.9" x 3.3" x 2.9") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 53 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 12.4
DXO Low light score 493 755
Other
Battery life 360 photos 470 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $1,000 $1,100