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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
85
Imaging
47
Features
47
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Released October 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GF2
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Replaced the Pentax K10D
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Following is a complete comparison of the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K20D, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GF1 (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is fairly well matched but the GF1 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The GF1 was introduced 16 months after the K20D making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the GF1 scores vs the K20D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF1 over the Pentax K20D

 GF1 K20D 
ReleasedOctober 2009June 2008More modern by 16 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic GF1

 K20D GF1 

Common features in the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K20D

 GF1 K20D 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch display No Touch display

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GF1 offers external measurements of 119mm x 71mm x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K20D in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the GF1 versus the K20D.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the GF1 and K20D is 85 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes just by checking technical specs. The picture below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GF1 and K20D.

As you have seen, both of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GF1 having a tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K20D will give you extra detail using its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics more aggressively. The newer GF1 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K20D Portrait photography advice
60
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
71
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Street photography factors
Pentax K20D Street photography factors
64
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K20D Sports photography highlights
44
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
better than average battery life (380 shots)
slow fps (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Travel photography camera
59
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Landscape photography details
Pentax K20D Landscape photography details
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (380 CIPA)
no image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have Timelapse function
70
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF1 Vlogging factors
Pentax K20D Vlogging factors
25
provides face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone jack
9
can't record video
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Panasonic GF1 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF1 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Pentax K20D
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-10-14 2008-06-25
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 3200 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max 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
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format AVCHD Lite -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385g (0.85 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 119 x 71 x 36mm (4.7" x 2.8" x 1.4") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 65
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 11.1
DXO Low light rating 513 639
Other
Battery life 380 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/MMC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $400 $700