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Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
70
Imaging
51
Features
65
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
54
Features
52
Overall
53

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Panasonic GH2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 442g - 124 x 90 x 76mm
  • Revealed March 2011
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH1
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH3
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Old Model is Pentax K10D
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Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GH2 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively well matched but the GH2 (Four Thirds) and K20D (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The GH2 was introduced 2 years after the K20D which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH2 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the GH2 matches up vs the K20D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH2 over the Pentax K20D

 GH2 K20D 
RevealedMarch 2011June 2008More modern by 34 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic GH2

 K20D GH2 

Common features in the Panasonic GH2 and Pentax K20D

 GH2 K20D 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic GH2 features exterior measurements of 124mm x 90mm x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") with a weight of 442 grams (0.97 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Following is the front view size comparison of the GH2 against the K20D.

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the GH2 and K20D is 70 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to imagine the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through specifications. The pic underneath should give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the GH2 and K20D.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GH2 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Panasonic GH2 will give more detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The newer GH2 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH2
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
70
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focusing
saves RAW files
72
focusing manually
good resolution (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Street photography advice
Pentax K20D Street photography advice
68
screen can move to multiple angles
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Sports photography details
Pentax K20D Sports photography details
46
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
weather sealing
has phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Travel photography info
Pentax K20D Travel photography info
62
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
lack of Time Lapse mode
not so great battery (330 CIPA)
64
weather sealing
good resolution (15 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH2 Landscape photography info
Pentax K20D Landscape photography info
60
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW files
no image stabilization
not so great battery (330 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse mode
71
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
small screen (2.7")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH2
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
no image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Panasonic GH2 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH2 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Pentax K20D
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-03-23 2008-06-25
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 160 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.71x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 15.60 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/160 secs 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video file format AVCHD, Motion JPEG -
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 442 gr (0.97 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 124 x 90 x 76mm (4.9" x 3.5" x 3.0") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 60 65
DXO Color Depth rating 21.2 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.3 11.1
DXO Low light rating 655 639
Other
Battery life 330 pictures -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $1,000 $700