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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Launched February 2011
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF1
  • Later Model is Panasonic GF3
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GF2 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is very similar but the GF2 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The GF2 was manufactured 17 months later than the K-7 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief view of how the GF2 grades vs the K-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Pentax K-7

 GF2 K-7 
IntroducedFebruary 2011October 2009More recent by 17 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic GF2

 K-7 GF2 
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-7

 GF2 K-7 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GF2 features outer dimensions of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") having a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the GF2 against the K-7.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the GF2 and K-7 is 88 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to envision the difference between sensor measurements purely by going over a spec sheet. The graphic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF2 and K-7.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GF2 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-7 will offer greater detail due to its extra 3MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The younger GF2 is going to have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography highlights
60
focusing manually
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Street photography highlights
65
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Sports photography camera
38
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
52
has built in flash
lack of Timelapse function
not so great battery power (300 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
65
environment proofing
resolution is good (15MP)
built-in flash
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF2
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
55
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 CIPA)
lack of Timelapse function
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging info
Pentax K-7 Vlogging info
32
screen is touchscreen
has face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
lack of microphone socket
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focus
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Pentax K-7
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-02-24 2009-10-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
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 12 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 2000
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160 seconds 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 310g (0.68 lb) 750g (1.65 lb)
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 61
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 10.6
DXO Low light rating 506 536
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 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $330 $599