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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic GF1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 119 x 71 x 36mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the GF1 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the GF1 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The GF1 was unveiled 6 years earlier than the K-S2 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short view of how the GF1 grades versus the K-S2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Pentax K-S2

 GF1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic GF1

 K-S2 GF1 
RevealedFebruary 2015October 2009Fresher by 64 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K-S2

 GF1 K-S2 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF1 provides exterior measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 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 select at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the GF1 versus the K-S2.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GF1 and K-S2 is 85 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out specifications. The visual below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GF1 and K-S2.

Plainly, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GF1 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-S2 will produce greater detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The older GF1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography details
60
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
78
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography details
Pentax K-S2 Street photography details
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
44
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
great battery (380 per charge)
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have phase detect autofocus
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
low fps (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF1
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
59
great battery (380 per charge)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
65
weather proofing
good resolution (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (410 shots)
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography details
60
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
great battery (380 CIPA)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have Time Lapse function
77
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF1
Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
25
supports face detection autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic support
heavier than others in class (678g)
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Pentax K-S2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-10-14 2015-02-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact 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
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 3200 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 385 grams (0.85 lb) 678 grams (1.49 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 513 not tested
Other
Battery life 380 photographs 410 photographs
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 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $400 $581