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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II 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
  • Introduced September 2014
  • Older Model is Panasonic GM1
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Released February 2018
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-1
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-1 II, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the GM5 (16MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the GM5 (Four Thirds) and K-1 II (Full frame) offer different sensor dimensions.

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The GM5 was introduced 4 years earlier than the K-1 II which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the GM5 matches up vs the K-1 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax K-1 II

 GM5 K-1 II 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic GM5

 K-1 II GM5 
ReleasedFebruary 2018September 2014Newer by 41 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k921kSharper screen (+116k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-1 II

 GM5 K-1 II 
Manual focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GM5 has exterior measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") accompanied by a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-1 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are using during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the GM5 compared to the K-1 II.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and K-1 II is 91 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the gap in sensor dimensions only by researching a spec sheet. The pic here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the GM5 and K-1 II.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The GM5 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-1 II will provide you with extra detail using its extra 20MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged GM5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography information
71
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
86
has manual focus
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GM5
Street photography with Pentax K-1 II
76
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
provides touch focus
lighter than competition (211g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
70
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (819,200)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
48
silent mode (1/16,000s)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/500s)
low fps (5.8 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 fps)
low battery life (670 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GM5
Travel photography with Pentax K-1 II
71
lighter than competition (211g)
provides touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
not so great battery power (220 shots)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
53
weather proofing
excellent megapixels (36MP)
low battery life (670 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GM5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-1 II
69
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
82
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent megapixels (36 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (819,200)
delivers RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
low battery life (670 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic GM5
Vlogging with Pentax K-1 II
34
built-in touchscreen
has face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (211g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic port
32
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone socket
does not posses selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-09-15 2018-02-22
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds Full frame
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 25600 819200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF4
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Screen resolution 921 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Fastest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 5.8 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
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)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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
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 gr (0.47 pounds) 1010 gr (2.23 pounds)
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 Overall rating 66 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 721 not tested
Other
Battery life 220 shots 670 shots
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
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots 1 Two
Pricing at release $966 $1,737