Clicky

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 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
  • Announced September 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GM1
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Renewed by Pentax K-1 II
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

On this page, we are reviewing the Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the sensor resolutions of the GM5 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the GM5 (Four Thirds) and K-1 (Full frame) have totally different sensor dimensions.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

The GM5 was revealed 17 months before the K-1 making them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a short summation of how the GM5 grades versus the K-1 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax K-1

 GM5 K-1 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic GM5

 K-1 GM5 
IntroducedFebruary 2016September 2014More recent by 17 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k921kSharper display (+116k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-1

 GM5 K-1 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 provides exterior dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") along with a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Here is a front view size comparison of the GM5 against the K-1.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GM5 and K-1 is 91 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specifications. The visual below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the GM5 and K-1.

Plainly, both cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The GM5 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 will offer you extra detail because of its extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The older GM5 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GM5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
71
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
85
has manual focus
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography info
Pentax K-1 Street photography info
76
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with focus by touch
lighter than average (211 grams)
good high ISO (25,600)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
Sports photography with Pentax K-1
48
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500s)
slow continuous shooting (5.8 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
terrible battery (760 per charge)
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than average (211 grams)
comes with focus by touch
decent MP (16 megapixels)
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
53
weather proofing
megapixel count excellent (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (760 shots)
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Landscape photography camera
69
focusing manually
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is decent (3")
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
lack of image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 shots)
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
megapixel count excellent (36MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
terrible battery (760 CIPA)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GM5
Vlogging with Pentax K-1
34
touchscreen functionality
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (211 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
no mic jack
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax K-1
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-09-15 2016-02-17
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4592 x 3448 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 25600 204800
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/500 secs 1/8000 secs
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 5.8fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/200 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 211 grams (0.47 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 66 96
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 14.6
DXO Low light rating 721 3280
Other
Battery life 220 images 760 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLH7 D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 images)) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 Dual
Launch pricing $966 $1,499