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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Announced February 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GH5
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Below is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is fairly close but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and K-5 IIs (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH4 was announced 9 months later than the K-5 IIs so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick summation of how the GH4 grades vs the K-5 IIs in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 GH4 K-5 IIs 
AnnouncedFebruary 2014June 2013More recent by 9 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k921kClearer display (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic GH4

 K-5 IIs GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 GH4 K-5 IIs 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH4 enjoys external measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-5 IIs in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the GH4 versus the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and K-5 IIs is 66 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to see the difference in sensor measurements just by researching specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the GH4 and K-5 IIs.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact megapixels but not the same sensor measurements. The GH4 offers the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower DOF tougher. The newer GH4 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW files
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH4
Street photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
71
fully articulated screen
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
features touch to focus
environment sealing
lighter than average in class (560 grams)
above average high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography advice
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
no image stabilization
does not have phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
77
lighter than average in class (560g)
environment sealing
features touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
65
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GH4
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
72
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no image stabilization
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen capability
includes face detect focusing
high video quality (4096 x 2160 resolution)
comes with mic socket
lighter than average in class (560g)
no image stabilization
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax K-5 IIs
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-02-07 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX 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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Min boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,036k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology OLED TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 12.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 74 82
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 14.1
DXO Low light score 791 1208
Other
Battery life 500 photographs 980 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLF19 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $1,500 $749