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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF2
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

In this article, we are looking at the Panasonic GF1 versus Pentax K-S1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and K-S1 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GF1 was manufactured 5 years prior to the K-S1 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the GF1 matches up against the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Pentax K-S1

 GF1 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic GF1

 K-S1 GF1 
LaunchedAugust 2014October 2009Newer by 59 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K-S1

 GF1 K-S1 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF1 enjoys exterior dimensions of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF1 versus Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the GF1 compared to the K-S1.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF1 and K-S1 is 85 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specifications. The image here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF1 and K-S1.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF1 featuring a smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-S1 will provide greater detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a little more aggressively. The more aged GF1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
77
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
64
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
great high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography factors
44
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.4 frames/s)
low battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
59
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution sensor (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
60
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (410 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography info
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (380 shots)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
73
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
low battery life (410 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging factors
25
features face detect focus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic support
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Pentax K-S1
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-10-14 2014-08-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite H.264
Mic 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 385 gr (0.85 lbs) 558 gr (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 54 78
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 13.0
DXO Low light score 513 1061
Other
Battery life 380 shots 410 shots
Battery style 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 feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $400 $339