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Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Released March 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH1
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH3
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Panasonic GH2 and Pentax K-5 II, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is very comparable but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH2 was introduced 3 years earlier than the K-5 II and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise summary of how the GH2 scores vs the K-5 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Pentax K-5 II

 GH2 K-5 II 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GH2

 K-5 II GH2 
RevealedJune 2013March 2011Fresher by 26 months
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Pentax K-5 II

 GH2 K-5 II 
Focus manually More exact focus
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH2 comes with external measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") along with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Panasonic GH2 and Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view size comparison of the GH2 vs the K-5 II.

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GH2 and K-5 II is 70 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic below will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GH2 and K-5 II.

As you can see, both the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count but not the same sensor sizing. The GH2 provides the smaller sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field harder. The older GH2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
70
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography info
Pentax K-5 II Street photography info
68
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography details
46
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (330 shots)
no phase detect AF
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography details
62
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
does not have Timelapse mode
not so great battery (330 per charge)
65
environment sealing
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH2
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
60
has manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH2 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes microphone support
does not have image stabilization
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Pentax K-5 II
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-03-23 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 15.60 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (24, 30, 60fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442 grams (0.97 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 60 82
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 14.1
DXO Low light rating 655 1235
Other
Battery life 330 shots 980 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $1,000 $830