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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1

Portability
88
Imaging
48
Features
50
Overall
48
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 310g - 113 x 68 x 33mm
  • Released February 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GF1
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF3
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax S1, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GF2 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is fairly well matched but the GF2 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") feature totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The GF2 was revealed very close to the S1 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before diving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a short summary of how the GF2 grades versus the S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF2 over the Pentax S1

 GF2 S1 
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic GF2

 S1 GF2 

Common features in the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax S1

 GF2 S1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2011March 2011Similar generation
Focus manually More exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF2 features exterior measurements of 113mm x 68mm x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") along with a weight of 310 grams (0.68 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GF2 and Pentax S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view over all size comparison of the GF2 versus the S1.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GF2 and S1 is 88 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by looking at technical specs. The pic underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the GF2 and S1.

As you can tell, both of these cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF2 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field simpler and the Pentax S1 will give you extra detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF2 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
MP count low (12MP)
35
has manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
65
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF2
Sports photography with Pentax S1
38
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 CIPA)
no phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Travel photography details
Pentax S1 Travel photography details
52
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
MP count low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
64
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF2
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
55
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (300 shots)
missing Timelapse function
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF2 Vlogging features
Pentax S1 Vlogging features
32
touch screen
supports face detection autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
missing external microphone socket
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic GF2 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF2 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Pentax Optio S1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Released 2011-02-24 2011-03-02
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160 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, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max 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 310 grams (0.68 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 113 x 68 x 33mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 54 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.3 not tested
DXO Low light rating 506 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
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/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $330 $174