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Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
64
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic GF6
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 323g - 111 x 65 x 38mm
  • Launched April 2013
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GF5
  • Renewed by Panasonic GF7
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
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Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GF6 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively close but the GF6 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor measurements.

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The GF6 was revealed 7 months prior to the K-500 so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GF6 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the GF6 grades against the K-500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF6 over the Pentax K-500

 GF6 K-500 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic GF6

 K-500 GF6 
LaunchedNovember 2013April 2013More modern by 7 months

Common features in the Panasonic GF6 and Pentax K-500

 GF6 K-500 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF6 features physical dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5") along with a weight of 323 grams (0.71 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the GF6 vs the K-500.

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GF6 and K-500 is 87 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes only by looking through technical specs. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF6 and K-500.

As you have seen, each of these cameras have the same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The GF6 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make getting bokeh more challenging. The more aged GF6 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF6 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
64
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW files
can't use external flash
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF6 Street photography features
Pentax K-500 Street photography features
77
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
offers touch to focus
no image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
above average high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF6
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
51
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 fps)
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect auto focus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery power (710 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GF6
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
69
offers touch to focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
no Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
67
great battery power (710 shots)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF6 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography advice
67
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
no Timelapse function
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GF6 Vlogging information
Pentax K-500 Vlogging information
32
touch screen
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
no external microphone port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic GF6 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF6 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF6 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-04-08 2013-11-27
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 12800 51600
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 1280 x 720p (60i PsF/30p in NTSC models, 50i PsF/25p on PAL), 640 x 480 (30/25fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 323 gr (0.71 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 54 79
DXO Color Depth rating 20.7 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.6 13.1
DXO Low light rating 622 1087
Other
Battery life 340 images 710 images
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $326 $600