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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
59
Imaging
60
Features
89
Overall
71
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Panasonic GH5
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • 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  • Superseded the Panasonic GH4
  • New Model is Panasonic GH5 II
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Announced July 2013
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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax MX-1, one being a Pro Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the GH5 (20MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the GH5 (Four Thirds) and MX-1 (1/1.7") posses totally different sensor sizes.

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The GH5 was released 3 years later than the MX-1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GH5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax MX-1 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the GH5 scores against the MX-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GH5 over the Pentax MX-1

 GH5 MX-1 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017July 2013Fresher by 43 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1620k920kSharper display (+700k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic GH5

 MX-1 GH5 

Common features in the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax MX-1

 GH5 MX-1 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GH5 enjoys 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) whilst the Pentax MX-1 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") along with a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

See the Panasonic GH5 and Pentax MX-1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the GH5 vs the MX-1.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GH5 and MX-1 is 59 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath may provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GH5 and MX-1.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GH5 due to its larger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Panasonic GH5 will provide you with extra detail as a result of its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop images way more aggressively. The newer GH5 is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GH5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Portrait photography camera
76
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
42
you can focus manually
provides face detection focus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Street photography information
Pentax MX-1 Street photography information
74
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
weather proof
above average high ISO (25,600)
65
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
heavier than competitors in class (391g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Sports photography features
Pentax MX-1 Sports photography features
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography highlights
68
weather proof
connects via bluetooth
comes with focus via touch
good megapixels (20MP)
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
61
better than average battery pack (290 CIPA)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Landscape photography details
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography details
75
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
two card slots
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
55
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (290 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/1.7")
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GH5 Vlogging information
Pentax MX-1 Vlogging information
75
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen functionality
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (4096 x 2160 pixels)
does have microphone socket
33
rather wide (28mm)
good max aperture (f1.8)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (391 grams)
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Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GH5 and Pentax MX-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5Pentax MX-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH5 Pentax MX-1
Category Pro Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2017-01-04 2013-07-01
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/1.7"
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3888 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 25600 12800
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 225 25
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-112mm (4.0x)
Largest aperture - f/1.8-2.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 4.8
Screen
Range of screen Fully Articulated Tilting
Screen diagonal 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,620k dot 920k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.76x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Redeye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On w/Redeye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Redeye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 4096x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 725 grams (1.60 pounds) 391 grams (0.86 pounds)
Physical dimensions 139 x 98 x 87mm (5.5" x 3.9" x 3.4") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 77 49
DXO Color Depth rating 23.9 20.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.0 11.3
DXO Low light rating 807 208
Other
Battery life 410 pictures 290 pictures
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs; 10 secs w/3 shots) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Dual 1
Pricing at release $1,298 $400