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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic GM5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 211g - 99 x 60 x 36mm
  • Announced September 2014
  • Old Model is Panasonic GM1
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Here is a detailed review of the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-5 II, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is very close but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The GM5 was introduced 16 months later than the K-5 II making them a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the GM5 grades versus the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax K-5 II

 GM5 K-5 II 
RevealedSeptember 2014June 2013Fresher by 16 months
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GM5

 K-5 II GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-5 II

 GM5 K-5 II 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Display resolution921k921kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GM5 provides exterior measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

See the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the GM5 versus the K-5 II.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the GM5 and K-5 II is 91 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the GM5 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras provide the same megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The GM5 comes with the smaller sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF harder. The newer GM5 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography advice
71
has manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes face detection focus
supports RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography details
Pentax K-5 II Street photography details
76
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
supports RAW files
offers focus via touch
lighter than competition (211g)
very good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography advice
48
silent mode (1/16,000 seconds)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
includes tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
continuous shooting slow (5.8 frames/s)
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (220 per charge)
does not have phase detect auto focus
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography highlights
71
lighter than competition (211g)
offers focus via touch
decent MP (16MP)
bad battery pack (220 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
65
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography highlights
69
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
very good high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW files
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (220 shots)
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging factors
34
screen is touchscreen
includes face detection focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (211 grams)
does not have selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
lack of external microphone port
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax K-5 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-09-15 2013-06-04
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor 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
Max resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/500 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter speed 5.8 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range no built-in flash 13.00 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 sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 211 gr (0.47 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 82
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 14.1
DXO Low light score 721 1235
Other
Battery life 220 photos 980 photos
Battery format 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 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $966 $830