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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Introduced July 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic G3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic G6
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

In this article, we are contrasting the Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the G5 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is fairly close but the G5 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The G5 was manufactured 3 months before the K-30 so they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the G5 matches up against the K-30 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Pentax K-30

 G5 K-30 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic G5

 K-30 G5 
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Pentax K-30

 G5 K-30 
AnnouncedJuly 2012October 2012Same age
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic G5 features exterior dimensions of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") and a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the G5 compared to the K-30.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the G5 and K-30 is 74 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing specs. The graphic underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the G5 and K-30.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution but not the same sensor sizing. The G5 provides the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field trickier.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 Street photography information
Pentax K-30 Street photography information
66
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
provides touch to focus
lack of image stabilization
heavier than others (396g)
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
51
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G5 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-30 Travel photography factors
66
provides touch to focus
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than others (396 grams)
60
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic G5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
65
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
lack of image stabilization
does not have Time Lapse mode
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G5 Vlogging information
Pentax K-30 Vlogging information
62
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lack of image stabilization
does not have mic support
heavier than others (396 grams)
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Pentax K-30
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-07-17 2012-10-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine VII FHD Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 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
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 6.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50, 30, 25fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25fps 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 396g (0.87 lb) 650g (1.43 lb)
Dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 61 79
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 13.0
DXO Low light score 618 1129
Other
Battery life 320 photos 410 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $699 $525