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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Introduced July 2009
  • Successor is Panasonic GH2
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-x, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GH1 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is very close but the GH1 (Four Thirds) and K-x (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

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The GH1 was announced 5 months before the K-x which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the GH1 grades versus the K-x in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax K-x

 GH1 K-x 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic GH1

 K-x GH1 

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-x

 GH1 K-x 
ReleasedJuly 2009December 2009Same age
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH1 has exterior measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") and a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has measurements of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-x in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view physical size comparison of the GH1 compared to the K-x.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the GH1 and K-x is 81 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through technical specs. The photograph below may provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH1 and K-x.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses the exact same resolution but different sensor measurements. The GH1 has the smaller sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field more difficult.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-x Portrait photography details
59
manual focus
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
63
focusing manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Street photography camera
72
fully articulated screen
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Sports photography information
Pentax K-x Sports photography information
32
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (320 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
61
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Travel photography info
Pentax K-x Travel photography info
58
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low battery life (320 CIPA)
low MP (12 megapixels)
54
great battery life (1,900 per charge)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
55
manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (320 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (1,900 shots)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-x as a Vlogging camera
72
screen is selfie friendly
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
does not have image stabilization
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax K-x
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-07-10 2009-12-23
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 273.5mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 1.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.50 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 385 gr (0.85 pounds) 580 gr (1.28 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 64 72
DXO Color Depth score 21.6 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 12.5
DXO Low light score 772 811
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 1900 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $949 $600