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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic GF5
(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
  • Launched April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF3
  • Successor is Panasonic GF6
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Lets look a little more closely at the Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GF5 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is very well matched but the GF5 (Four Thirds) and K-7 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GF5 was launched 2 years later than the K-7 and that is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the GF5 grades versus the K-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Pentax K-7

 GF5 K-7 
LaunchedApril 2012October 2009More recent by 31 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic GF5

 K-7 GF5 
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Pentax K-7

 GF5 K-7 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GF5 enjoys outer measurements of 108mm x 67mm x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") having a weight of 267 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the GF5 against the K-7.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the GF5 and K-7 is 89 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements only by checking specs. The photograph here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the GF5 and K-7.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The GF5 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh harder and the Pentax K-7 will resolve extra detail utilizing its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The younger GF5 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography advice
55
has manual focus
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Street photography highlights
70
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch focus
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF5
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
40
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
low fps (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
no phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Travel photography features
Pentax K-7 Travel photography features
61
comes with touch focus
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
64
weather proofing
sensor resolution is decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography information
59
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF5
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
32
screen is touchscreen
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
does not have external microphone jack
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone port
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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF5 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Pentax K-7
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-04-05 2009-10-02
Body design 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 23.4 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 12800 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 160 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech 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
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 50 fps), 1280 x 720p (60, 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 267 grams (0.59 pounds) 750 grams (1.65 pounds)
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 61
DXO Color Depth rating 20.5 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.0 10.6
DXO Low light rating 573 536
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 980 photographs
Battery form 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 feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $600 $599