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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
91
Imaging
54
Features
62
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Launched September 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic GM1
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 2012
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-01, both Entry-Level Mirrorless cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and K-01 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The GM5 was announced 2 years after the K-01 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the GM5 grades vs the K-01 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax K-01

 GM5 K-01 
ReleasedSeptember 2014May 2012More modern by 28 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic GM5

 K-01 GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-01

 GM5 K-01 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen sizing
Screen resolution921k921kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry around your camera, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic GM5 provides outside measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") having a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax K-01 has specifications of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the GM5 versus the K-01.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and K-01 is 91 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing a spec sheet. The pic here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the GM5 and K-01.

As you can see, each of the cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The GM5 contains the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher. The more modern GM5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography features
72
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
74
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GM5
Street photography with Pentax K-01
76
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
provides focus via touch
lighter than others in class (211 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than others (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography info
Pentax K-01 Sports photography info
49
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low battery life (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (540 per charge)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GM5
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
71
lighter than others in class (211g)
provides focus via touch
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
low battery life (220 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
65
good battery pack (540 shots)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than others (561g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography details
69
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3 inch)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
no image stabilization
low battery life (220 per charge)
80
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-01 Vlogging factors
35
touchscreen
offers face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (211 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
doesn't have mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic socket
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than others (561 grams)
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax K-01
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2014-09-15 2012-05-30
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Minimum enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 921k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/4000 secs
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 5.8fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p, 25p), 640 x 480 (30p, 25p) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 211g (0.47 pounds) 561g (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 12.9
DXO Low light score 721 1135
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 540 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model DMW-BLH7 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $966 $899