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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Introduced February 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH3
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH5
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-1 II, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the image resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) come with different sensor sizing.

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The GH4 was released 5 years prior to the K-1 II which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a in depth comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the GH4 matches up versus the K-1 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax K-1 II

 GH4 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic GH4

 K-1 II GH4 
AnnouncedFebruary 2018February 2014Newer by 49 months
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k1036kSharper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-1 II

 GH4 K-1 II 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

When you are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH4 has physical measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 II has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-1 II in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the GH4 against the K-1 II.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and K-1 II is 66 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The pic underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GH4 and K-1 II.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The GH4 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 II will give you more detail as a result of its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged GH4 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH4
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
71
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
86
focusing manually
MP count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography info
Pentax K-1 II Street photography info
71
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features focus via touch
environment proofing
lighter than average (560 grams)
very good high ISO (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
70
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than competitors (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography information
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography information
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
lack of phase detect autofocus
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (36MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
low battery pack (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Travel photography camera
77
lighter than average (560g)
environment proofing
features focus via touch
megapixel count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
display is selfie friendly
53
weather sealing
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
low battery pack (670 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography highlights
72
manual focus
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count fantastic (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (819,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
low battery pack (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Vlogging camera
71
display is selfie friendly
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
high video quality (4096 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone port
lighter than average (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-02-07 2018-02-22
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IX PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 25600 819200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 1,036k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/250s 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 4096 x 2160 (24p), 3840 x 2160 (24p, 25p, 30p), 1920 x 1080 (24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p), 1280 x 720 (24p, 25p, 30p), 640 x 480 (25p, 30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 grams (1.23 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 not tested
DXO Low light rating 791 not tested
Other
Battery life 500 images 670 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single 2
Price at release $1,500 $1,737