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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
74
Imaging
52
Features
66
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic G5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 396g - 120 x 83 x 71mm
  • Released July 2012
  • Old Model is Panasonic G3
  • Replacement is Panasonic G6
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the G5 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty similar but the G5 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The G5 was revealed 3 years earlier than the K-S1 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic G5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a brief summation of how the G5 scores versus the K-S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic G5 over the Pentax K-S1

 G5 K-S1 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic G5

 K-S1 G5 
IntroducedAugust 2014July 2012More modern by 25 months
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic G5 and Pentax K-S1

 G5 K-S1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic G5 features outside measurements of 120mm x 83mm x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 396 grams (0.87 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the G5 compared to the K-S1.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the G5 and K-S1 is 74 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes just by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the G5 and K-S1.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The G5 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-S1 will offer you greater detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged G5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic G5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
71
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
77
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic G5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Street photography advice
66
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
provides focus via touch
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition in class (396g)
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (558g)
great high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
51
good resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic G5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
66
provides focus via touch
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (396 grams)
60
lighter than others in class (558g)
megapixel count good (20MP)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
low battery pack (410 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic G5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
no Time Lapse recording
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic G5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
62
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lack of image stabilization
no mic socket
heavier than competition in class (396g)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (558 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
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Panasonic G5 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic G5 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5Pentax K-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-G5 Pentax K-S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-07-17 2014-08-27
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine VII FHD Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 6.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 10.50 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 396g (0.87 lbs) 558g (1.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 120 x 83 x 71mm (4.7" x 3.3" x 2.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 61 78
DXO Color Depth score 21.4 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 13.0
DXO Low light score 618 1061
Other
Battery life 320 shots 410 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $699 $339