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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q

Portability
66
Imaging
53
Features
88
Overall
67
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic GH4
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 560g - 133 x 93 x 84mm
  • Revealed February 2014
  • Succeeded the Panasonic GH3
  • Replacement is Panasonic GH5
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Launched June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q Overview

Here is a extensive review of the Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the resolutions of the GH4 (16MP) and Q (12MP) and the GH4 (Four Thirds) and Q (1/2.3") offer different sensor size.

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The GH4 was launched 2 years later than the Q and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH4 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief overview of how the GH4 scores vs the Q in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH4 over the Pentax Q

 GH4 Q 
LaunchedFebruary 2014June 2011Fresher by 32 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1036k460kSharper display (+576k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic GH4

 Q GH4 

Common features in the Panasonic GH4 and Pentax Q

 GH4 Q 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display size3"3"Same display size

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GH4 has exterior measurements of 133mm x 93mm x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") having a weight of 560 grams (1.23 lbs) and the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the GH4 and the Q.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GH4 and Q is 66 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing only by researching specs. The photograph below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the GH4 and Q.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GH4 featuring a larger sensor is going to make getting bokeh simpler and the Panasonic GH4 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more recent GH4 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Portrait photography info
Pentax Q Portrait photography info
71
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
45
focusing manually
flash sync is higher than normal (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Street photography factors
Pentax Q Street photography factors
71
screen articulates fully
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
offers touch focus
environment sealing
lighter than competition in class (560 grams)
above average ISO range (25,600)
lack of image stabilization
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors (180g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
62
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
provides tracking focus
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH4 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
77
lighter than competition in class (560g)
environment sealing
offers touch focus
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
57
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
built-in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
bad battery life (230 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Landscape photography information
Pentax Q Landscape photography information
72
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
above average ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
51
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW formats
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH4 Vlogging information
Pentax Q Vlogging information
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (4096 x 2160 resolution)
includes mic socket
lighter than competition in class (560g)
lack of image stabilization
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (180 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH4 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4Pentax Q
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 Pentax Q
Type Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2014-02-07 2011-06-23
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IX -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
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 16MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 25600 6400
Minimum native ISO 200 125
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax Q
Number of lenses 107 8
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 1,036 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology OLED TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.67x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames per second 2.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 17.00 m (at ISO 200) 5.60 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, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/250s 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 lb) 180 gr (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 93 x 84mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 3.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 74 47
DXO Color Depth rating 23.2 20.2
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.8 11.1
DXO Low light rating 791 189
Other
Battery life 500 pictures 230 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLF19 D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs (single or three-shot)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $1,500 $695