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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
81
Imaging
49
Features
57
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic GH1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 3200)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 385g - 124 x 90 x 45mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH2
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced August 2005
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the GH1 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the GH1 (Four Thirds) and ist DS2 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The GH1 was brought out 3 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the GH1 grades versus the ist DS2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 GH1 ist DS2 
AnnouncedJuly 2009August 2005Fresher by 48 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kSharper screen (+250k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic GH1

 ist DS2 GH1 

Common features in the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax ist DS2

 GH1 ist DS2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH1 offers exterior dimensions of 124mm x 90mm x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 385 grams (0.85 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GH1 and Pentax ist DS2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the GH1 versus the ist DS2.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GH1 and ist DS2 is 81 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below may give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH1 and ist DS2.

Clearly, each of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GH1 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh trickier and the Panasonic GH1 will offer you extra detail having its extra 6MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The fresher GH1 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
59
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
50
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
MP count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH1
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
72
screen articulates
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than average (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH1
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
32
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12MP)
not so great battery life (320 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH1
Travel photography with Pentax ist DS2
58
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (320 CIPA)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
52
lighter than average (605 grams)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (6MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Landscape photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography advice
55
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
not so great battery life (320 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
46
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH1 Vlogging factors
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging factors
72
screen is selfie friendly
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic support
lack of image stabilization
22
lighter than average (605g)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( pixels)
does not have mic port
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Panasonic GH1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Pentax ist DS2
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-07-10 2005-08-22
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 18.89 x 14.48mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 273.5mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 3200 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 1.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 10.50 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/160s -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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) -
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video format AVCHD -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 385 grams (0.85 lb) 605 grams (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 45mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 1.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $949 -