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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released October 2012
  • Replacement is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and K-30 (16MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The GH1 was released 4 years prior to the K-30 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a short overview of how the GH1 scores against the K-30 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax K-30

 GH1 K-30 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic GH1

 K-30 GH1 
ReleasedOctober 2012July 2009Newer by 40 months
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-30

 GH1 K-30 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera regularly, you'll need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH1 provides exterior measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") having a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are using at that time. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the GH1 compared to the K-30.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GH1 and K-30 is 81 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions simply by looking through technical specs. The picture underneath will help offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the GH1 and K-30.

As you can tell, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GH1 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-30 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more aged GH1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography details
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Street photography information
Pentax K-30 Street photography information
72
screen articulates
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-30 Sports photography factors
32
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12MP)
not so great battery life (320 per charge)
has no phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-30 Travel photography information
58
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
not so great battery life (320 per charge)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
60
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery power (410 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
55
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (320 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
72
display is selfie friendly
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic port
lack of image stabilization
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax K-30
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax K-30
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-07-10 2012-10-29
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD Prime M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 273.5mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 3200 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 1.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
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 385g (0.85 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 79
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 13.0
DXO Low light rating 772 1129
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 410 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $949 $525