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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Released February 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH3
  • Later Model is Panasonic GH5
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax K-500, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively similar but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The GH4 was brought out 3 months later than the K-500 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the GH4 scores vs the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax K-500

 GH4 K-500 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1036k921kSharper screen (+115k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic GH4

 K-500 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-500

 GH4 K-500 
IntroducedFebruary 2014November 2013Similar age
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic GH4 has exterior dimensions of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") and a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the GH4 compared to the K-500.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and K-500 is 66 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The visual underneath might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH4 and K-500.

To sum up, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The GH4 features the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
71
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
74
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GH4
Street photography with Pentax K-500
71
screen articulates fully
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
boasts touch focus
weather sealing
lighter than competitors in class (560g)
above average ISO range (25,600)
does not have image stabilization
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
very good ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GH4
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
62
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
does not have phase detect autofocus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
better than average battery life (710 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Travel photography information
Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
77
lighter than competitors in class (560g)
weather sealing
boasts touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
67
better than average battery life (710 shots)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
does not have image stabilization
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
better than average battery life (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
screen is touchscreen
features face detection autofocus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
includes external microphone socket
lighter than competitors in class (560g)
does not have image stabilization
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic port
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax K-500
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax K-500
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-02-07 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IX PRIME M
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
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 51600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 1,036k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology OLED TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 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, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/180 seconds
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 560g (1.23 lb) 646g (1.42 lb)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 74 79
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 12.8 13.1
DXO Low light score 791 1087
Other
Battery life 500 images 710 images
Battery form Battery Pack AA
Battery model DMW-BLF19 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $1,500 $600