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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH2
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GH1 versus Pentax K-1 II, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The GH1 was launched 9 years earlier than the K-1 II which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the GH1 grades vs the K-1 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax K-1 II

 GH1 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic GH1

 K-1 II GH1 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018July 2009More modern by 104 months
Screen dimension3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-1 II

 GH1 K-1 II 
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH1 comes with external measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") along with a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH1 versus Pentax K-1 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the GH1 and the K-1 II.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH1 and K-1 II is 81 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by checking a spec sheet. The picture below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GH1 and K-1 II.

Clearly, both the cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The GH1 due to its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-1 II will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more aged GH1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Portrait photography camera
59
manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
86
you can focus manually
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Street photography details
Pentax K-1 II Street photography details
72
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
great ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography highlights
32
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (320 CIPA)
no phase detect auto focus
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography advice
58
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (320 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
53
environment proof
excellent megapixels (36MP)
terrible battery pack (670 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1 II
55
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (320 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
82
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
nice screen size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (819,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging advice
72
selfie friendly screen
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic port
no image stabilization
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has microphone support
display is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-07-10 2018-02-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 18.89 x 14.48mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 273.5mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 1600 819200
Maximum enhanced ISO 3200 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 1.9 1
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.50 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/160 secs 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 grams (0.85 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 not tested
DXO Low light rating 772 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 images 670 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots One Two
Pricing at release $949 $1,737