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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
90
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
  • Replaced the Panasonic GF7
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GF8 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively similar but the GF8 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The GF8 was released 2 years after the K-5 II which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GF8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the GF8 grades versus the K-5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GF8 over the Pentax K-5 II

 GF8 K-5 II 
ReleasedFebruary 2016June 2013Newer by 33 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GF8

 K-5 II GF8 

Common features in the Panasonic GF8 and Pentax K-5 II

 GF8 K-5 II 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GF8 offers physical dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 266 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the GF8 versus the K-5 II.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the GF8 and K-5 II is 90 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reading technical specs. The image below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GF8 and K-5 II.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same MP albeit different sensor dimensions. The GF8 features the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The more modern GF8 should have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography features
65
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
external flash not possible
74
focusing manually
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 II Street photography information
80
screen tilts
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
has focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography advice
49
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
decent MP (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500s)
max fps very slow (5.8 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GF8 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
66
has focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low battery life (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GF8
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
65
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low battery life (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GF8
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
33
has touchscreen
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic port
does not have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic GF8 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GF8 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 Pentax K-5 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2016-02-15 2013-06-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Prime II
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Min enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 5.8 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, flash off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 266 gr (0.59 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 230 images 980 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3-shot/10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $549 $830