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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2011
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF3
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GF2 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the GF2 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the GF2 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The GF2 was unveiled 3 years before the K-5 II which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise overview of how the GF2 grades against the K-5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Pentax K-5 II

 GF2 K-5 II 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GF2

 K-5 II GF2 
AnnouncedJune 2013February 2011More modern by 27 months
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-5 II

 GF2 K-5 II 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF2 provides exterior dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GF2 versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the GF2 and the K-5 II.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF2 and K-5 II is 88 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to envision the difference between sensor sizes purely by reading technical specs. The pic underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the GF2 and K-5 II.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GF2 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-5 II will offer extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more aged GF2 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
60
manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12MP)
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GF2
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
65
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF2
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (300 shots)
lacks phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography highlights
52
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (300 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
65
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography information
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3")
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (300 per charge)
missing Time Lapse recording
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
32
built-in touchscreen
offers face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Pentax K-5 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-02-24 2013-06-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310g (0.68 pounds) 760g (1.68 pounds)
Physical dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 14.1
DXO Low light rating 506 1235
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 980 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $330 $830