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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic GM1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 204g - 99 x 55 x 30mm
  • Introduced December 2013
  • Successor is Panasonic GM5
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

The following is a extended overview of the Panasonic GM1 versus Pentax K-5 II, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively well matched but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The GM1 was introduced 7 months after the K-5 II so they are of a similar generation. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a short summary of how the GM1 matches up vs the K-5 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Pentax K-5 II

 GM1 K-5 II 
ReleasedDecember 2013June 2013Newer by 7 months
Screen resolution1036k921kSharper screen (+115k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GM1

 K-5 II GM1 

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Pentax K-5 II

 GM1 K-5 II 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic GM1 features physical dimensions of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") with a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GM1 versus Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the GM1 and the K-5 II.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the GM1 and K-5 II is 93 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by looking at specs. The image below may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the GM1 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras provide the same resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The GM1 has the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging. The more recent GM1 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
65
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
no external flash support
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Street photography factors
77
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
has touch focus
lighter than average (204 grams)
very good ISO range (25,600)
no moving screen
no image stabilization
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
48
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/500s)
low fps (5.0 fps)
no image stabilization
bad battery power (230 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography features
74
lighter than average (204g)
has touch focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery power (230 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment sealing
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography info
69
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
very good ISO range (25,600)
exports RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery power (230 shots)
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging info
35
touchscreen
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average (204 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
does not have microphone port
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Pentax K-5 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-12-19 2013-06-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,036 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/50 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 24p), 1280 x 720p (60p, 50p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 204 gr (0.45 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.3 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light score 660 1235
Other
Battery life 230 pictures 980 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Price at release $750 $830