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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Launched February 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GH3
  • Renewed by Panasonic GH5
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax S1, former is a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH4 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very similar but the GH4 (Four Thirds) and S1 (1/2.3") enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The GH4 was revealed 2 years after the S1 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax S1 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a full comparison, below is a short view of how the GH4 grades versus the S1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax S1

 GH4 S1 
RevealedFebruary 2014March 2011More modern by 36 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1036k230kSharper display (+806k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic GH4

 S1 GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax S1

 GH4 S1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GH4 features outer dimensions 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 S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GH4 versus Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the GH4 compared to the S1.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH4 and S1 is 66 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over specifications. The picture underneath will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GH4 and S1.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The GH4 using its larger sensor will make shooting shallower DOF less difficult and the Panasonic GH4 will deliver greater detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger GH4 will have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography details
Pentax S1 Portrait photography details
71
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
35
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography info
Pentax S1 Street photography info
71
screen can move to multiple angles
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch focus
environment proofing
lighter than competition in class (560g)
very good ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Sports photography features
Pentax S1 Sports photography features
62
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking autofocus
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
lacks phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
features tracking focus
low frames per second (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GH4
Travel photography with Pentax S1
77
lighter than competition in class (560g)
environment proofing
comes with touch focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
64
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax S1 Landscape photography highlights
72
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
42
manual focus
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
71
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen functionality
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
does have external microphone port
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
lack of image stabilization
28
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax Optio S1
Type Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2014-02-07 2011-03-02
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Available lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,036 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology OLED TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 3.90 m
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, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1280x720
Video file 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 560 gr (1.23 lbs) 157 gr (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 260 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Price at release $1,500 $174