Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II
89 Imaging
48 Features
54 Overall
50


60 Imaging
57 Features
82 Overall
67
Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 160 - 12800
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Micro Four Thirds Mount
- 267g - 108 x 67 x 37mm
- Introduced April 2012
- Earlier Model is Panasonic GF3
- New Model is Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Introduced June 2013
- Previous Model is Pentax K-5

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview
The following is a comprehensive overview of the Panasonic GF5 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the GF5 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the GF5 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

The GF5 was revealed 14 months before the K-5 II which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the GF5 grades versus the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 and Pentax K-5 II. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic GF5 Gallery and Pentax K-5 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Pentax K-5 II
GF5 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GF5
K-5 II | GF5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | June 2013 | ![]() | April 2012 | Newer by 14 months |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Sharper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Pentax K-5 II
GF5 | K-5 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen size |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Missing selfie screen |
Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison
If you are aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF5 provides outside dimensions of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic GF5 versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the GF5 against the K-5 II.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the GF5 and K-5 II is 89 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison
Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through specifications. The pic underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF5 and K-5 II.
To sum up, both of the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GF5 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-5 II will give more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged GF5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Pentax K-5 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 | Pentax K-5 II |
Class | Entry-Level Mirrorless | Advanced DSLR |
Introduced | 2012-04-05 | 2013-06-04 |
Physical type | Rangefinder-style mirrorless | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | Venus Engine FHD | Prime II |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Four Thirds | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 17.3 x 13mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 224.9mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 12800 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 160 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Min enhanced ISO | - | 80 |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
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 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | Micro Four Thirds | Pentax KAF2 |
Total lenses | 107 | 151 |
Crop factor | 2.1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 920k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | 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 | ||
Min shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/4000 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.0fps | 7.0fps |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.30 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
AEB | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/160 secs | - |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 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 file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | Motion JPEG |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 267 grams (0.59 pounds) | 760 grams (1.68 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | 50 | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | 20.5 | 23.8 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.0 | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | 573 | 1235 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 360 photos | 980 photos |
Form of battery | 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 | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $600 | $830 |