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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
93
Imaging
53
Features
60
Overall
55
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Revealed December 2013
  • Later Model is Panasonic GM5
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Let's examine more closely at the Panasonic GM1 versus Pentax RS1500, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GM1 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the GM1 (Four Thirds) and RS1500 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The GM1 was unveiled 2 years later than the RS1500 and that is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GM1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before getting straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the GM1 scores vs the RS1500 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM1 over the Pentax RS1500

 GM1 RS1500 
ReleasedDecember 2013March 2011Fresher by 34 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1036k230kSharper screen (+806k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic GM1

 RS1500 GM1 

Common features in the Panasonic GM1 and Pentax RS1500

 GM1 RS1500 
Manual focus Very precise focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GM1 has external measurements of 99mm x 55mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 204 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic GM1 versus Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the GM1 compared to the RS1500.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GM1 and RS1500 is 93 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by checking technical specs. The photograph underneath may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the GM1 and RS1500.

As you have seen, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GM1 using its bigger sensor will make achieving shallow DOF simpler and the Panasonic GM1 will give you more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The newer GM1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Portrait photography info
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography info
65
you can focus manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
35
you can focus manually
good resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Street photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Street photography highlights
77
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
boasts touch focus
lighter than average in class (204g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
54
weather proofing
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Sports photography details
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography details
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500s)
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
37
good resolution (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Travel photography info
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography info
74
lighter than average in class (204 grams)
boasts touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (230 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
67
weather proofing
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not posses selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Landscape photography features
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography features
69
you can focus manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (230 CIPA)
40
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
no image stabilization
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM1 Vlogging factors
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging factors
35
has touchscreen
supports face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (204 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
lack of mic port
25
decently wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not posses selfie friendly display
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic GM1 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM1 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM1 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2013-12-19 2011-03-16
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 25600 6400
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture - f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Number of lenses 107 -
Crop factor 2.1 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 1,036 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/500s 1/1500s
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter rate 5.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.00 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/50s -
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 204 gr (0.45 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 55 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 660 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 images 260 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $750 $150