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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic GF8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 266g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Superseded the Panasonic GF7
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Below is a extensive review of the Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the GF8 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the GF8 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The GF8 was manufactured very close to the K-1 and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GF8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the GF8 scores vs the K-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GF8 over the Pentax K-1

 GF8 K-1 
Display resolution1040k1037kSharper display (+3k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic GF8

 K-1 GF8 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic GF8 and Pentax K-1

 GF8 K-1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016February 2016Same generation
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GF8 comes with outer dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the GF8 and the K-1.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the GF8 and K-1 is 90 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The visual below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GF8 and K-1.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GF8 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-1 will show extra detail due to its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics far more aggressively.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography advice
65
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
85
focusing manually
resolution is excellent (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Street photography info
Pentax K-1 Street photography info
80
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
features touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GF8
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
49
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
very slow continuous shooting (5.8 fps)
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is excellent (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
bad battery power (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
66
features touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery pack (230 per charge)
does not have a selfie friendly display
53
environment proofing
resolution is excellent (36 megapixels)
bad battery power (760 per charge)
heavier than competitors (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
65
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
bad battery pack (230 CIPA)
no Time Lapse recording
81
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is excellent (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
bad battery power (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF8
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
33
has touchscreen
includes face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not have a selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
no mic socket
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors (1,010g)
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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF8 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 Pentax K-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-02-15 2016-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 204800
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting rate 5.8fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 266g (0.59 lbs) 1010g (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 230 images 760 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One Two
Retail cost $549 $1,499