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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 4096 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 725g - 139 x 98 x 87mm
  • Launched January 2017
  • Superseded the Panasonic GH4
  • Newer Model is Panasonic GH5 II
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic GH5 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Pro Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GH5 (20MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is relatively close but the GH5 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The GH5 was unveiled 24 months later than the K-S2 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a quick summary of how the GH5 grades against the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Pentax K-S2

 GH5 K-S2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017February 2015Fresher by 24 months
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1620k921kClearer screen (+699k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic GH5

 K-S2 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax K-S2

 GH5 K-S2 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated screen
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GH5 has external dimensions of 139mm x 98mm x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") along with a weight of 725 grams (1.60 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GH5 versus Pentax K-S2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the GH5 versus the K-S2.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GH5 and K-S2 is 59 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing specifications. The photograph here should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the GH5 and K-S2.

Plainly, both cameras offer the same exact MP albeit different sensor sizing. The GH5 features the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The younger GH5 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GH5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
76
you can focus manually
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW formats
78
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography info
Pentax K-S2 Street photography info
74
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
weather proof
great ISO range (25,600)
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
more heavy than others (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography info
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography info
68
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
weather proof
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
lacks phase detect auto focus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 fps)
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography highlights
68
weather proof
has bluetooth
comes with focus by touch
good resolution (20MP)
screen is selfie friendly
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
65
weather proof
good megapixels (20MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (410 per charge)
more heavy than others (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
75
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (25,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
2 card slots
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GH5
Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
75
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (4096 x 2160 pxls)
does have external microphone support
71
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external microphone port
more heavy than others (678g)
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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Pentax K-S2
Category Pro Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2017-01-04 2015-02-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 5184 x 3888 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW files
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 225 11
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of display 1,620 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Maximum quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting speed 12.0 frames per sec 5.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 725 grams (1.60 lb) 678 grams (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 77 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 807 not tested
Other
Battery life 410 photographs 410 photographs
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 2 Single
Pricing at launch $1,298 $581