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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
89
Imaging
48
Features
54
Overall
50
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Introduced April 2012
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic GF3
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GF6
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Introduced March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF5 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is fairly close but the GF5 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The GF5 was announced 14 months after the K-r making them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GF5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a thorough comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the GF5 grades versus the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF5 over the Pentax K-r

 GF5 K-r 
IntroducedApril 2012March 2011Newer by 14 months
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic GF5

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

Common features in the Panasonic GF5 and Pentax K-r

 GF5 K-r 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF5 comes with physical dimensions 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-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the GF5 vs the K-r.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GF5 and K-r is 89 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions merely by researching specifications. The image below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF5 and K-r.

Plainly, both of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The GF5 includes the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field harder. The newer GF5 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GF5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
55
has manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
low resolution sensor (12MP)
63
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-r Street photography advice
70
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
features focus via touch
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Sports photography info
Pentax K-r Sports photography info
40
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (4.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
lack of phase detect AF
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (470 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Travel photography details
Pentax K-r Travel photography details
61
features focus via touch
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
47
built-in flash
terrible battery pack (470 shots)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
59
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
missing Time Lapse mode
65
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF5 Vlogging details
Pentax K-r Vlogging details
32
touchscreen
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
missing external mic support
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
screen is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic port
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Panasonic GF5 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF5 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF5 Pentax K-r
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2012-04-05 2011-03-11
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 160 200
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
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
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max 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
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 267g (0.59 pounds) 598g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 67 x 37mm (4.3" x 2.6" x 1.5") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 50 72
DXO Color Depth rating 20.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.0 12.4
DXO Low light rating 573 755
Other
Battery life 360 images 470 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $600 $1,100