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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
91
Imaging
53
Features
62
Overall
56
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 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
  • Launched September 2014
  • Superseded the Panasonic GM1
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-500, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GM5 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty close but the GM5 (Four Thirds) and K-500 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The GM5 was introduced 10 months after the K-500 and they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GM5 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the GM5 matches up vs the K-500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GM5 over the Pentax K-500

 GM5 K-500 
RevealedSeptember 2014November 2013More modern by 10 months
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic GM5

 K-500 GM5 

Common features in the Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-500

 GM5 K-500 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Screen resolution921k921kExact same screen resolution
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GM5 has outside measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") with a weight of 211 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GM5 versus Pentax K-500 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the GM5 vs the K-500.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GM5 and K-500 is 91 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to see the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the GM5 and K-500.

Clearly, both cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizes. The GM5 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The newer GM5 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GM5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
71
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW formats
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Street photography details
Pentax K-500 Street photography details
76
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
includes touch to focus
lighter than competition in class (211g)
great ISO range (25,600)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
very good ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic GM5
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
48
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
offers tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/500 seconds)
max fps very slow (5.8 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low battery (220 CIPA)
lack of phase detect auto focus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
great battery power (710 CIPA)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-500 Travel photography advice
71
lighter than competition in class (211 grams)
includes touch to focus
MP count good (16 megapixels)
low battery (220 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
67
great battery power (710 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GM5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
69
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
good sized screen (3")
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
great ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery (220 shots)
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW files
great battery power (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GM5 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-500 Vlogging factors
34
has touchscreen
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (211 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
doesn't have microphone support
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
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Panasonic GM5 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GM5 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GM5 Pentax K-500
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-09-15 2013-11-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 25600 51600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of display 921 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/500s 1/6000s
Highest quiet shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 5.8fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
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 Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 211g (0.47 lbs) 646g (1.42 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 36mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.4") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 66 79
DXO Color Depth score 22.1 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.7 13.1
DXO Low light score 721 1087
Other
Battery life 220 images 710 images
Battery form Battery Pack AA
Battery model DMW-BLH7 4 x AA
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
Retail pricing $966 $600