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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • New Model is Panasonic GH2
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic GH1 versus Pentax K-5, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The GH1 was launched 17 months prior to the K-5 making them a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short highlight of how the GH1 grades versus the K-5 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax K-5

 GH1 K-5 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic GH1

 K-5 GH1 
IntroducedDecember 2010July 2009Newer by 17 months
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-5

 GH1 K-5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH1 has outside 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-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH1 versus Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that moment. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the GH1 versus the K-5.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the GH1 and K-5 is 81 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by looking through specs. The pic below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the GH1 and K-5.

All in all, the two cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GH1 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-5 will render extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged GH1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5
59
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 Street photography information
72
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH1
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
32
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
terrible battery life (320 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-5 Travel photography factors
58
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery life (320 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
65
weather proof
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low resolution sensor (12MP)
terrible battery life (320 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging features
Pentax K-5 Vlogging features
72
display is selfie friendly
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
does not have image stabilization
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax K-5
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-07-10 2010-12-18
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 18.89 x 14.48mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 273.5mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 3200 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 1.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
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 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 10.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync 1/160s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 385 grams (0.85 pounds) 740 grams (1.63 pounds)
Physical dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.6 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.6 14.1
DXO Low light rating 772 1162
Other
Battery life 320 photographs 980 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
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 1 1
Launch price $949 $800