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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
54
Overall
52
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic GX1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 160 - 12800
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 318g - 116 x 68 x 39mm
  • Announced February 2012
  • Refreshed by Panasonic GX7
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic GX1 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GX1 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is pretty similar but the GX1 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The GX1 was unveiled 4 years prior to the K-S2 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the GX1 matches up vs the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX1 over the Pentax K-S2

 GX1 K-S2 
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic GX1

 K-S2 GX1 
LaunchedFebruary 2015February 2012More recent by 36 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic GX1 and Pentax K-S2

 GX1 K-S2 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to lug around your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GX1 features outer dimensions of 116mm x 68mm x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") along with a weight of 318 grams (0.70 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GX1 versus Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the GX1 against the K-S2.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the GX1 and K-S2 is 87 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to see the difference between sensor measurements only by reviewing specs. The visual below will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GX1 and K-S2.

All in all, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The GX1 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-S2 will deliver greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older GX1 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography details
71
you can focus manually
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
78
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Street photography features
Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
70
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
features focus by touch
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
72
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography advice
47
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
comes with tracking focus
low frames per second (4.0 fps)
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (300 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.4 frames per second)
low battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX1
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
65
features focus by touch
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low battery life (300 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
65
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (20MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
low battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
62
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
low battery life (300 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
low battery (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
32
touchscreen capability
comes with face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
does not have mic jack
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
heavier than competition (678 grams)
Photography Glossary

Panasonic GX1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX1 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 Pentax K-S2
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2012-02-14 2015-02-10
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor dimensions 17.3 x 13mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 224.9mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4592 x 3448 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 12800 51200
Minimum native ISO 160 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD with wide-viewing angle -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic (optional) Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 4.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize 1/160 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps) 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 318g (0.70 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 116 x 68 x 39mm (4.6" x 2.7" x 1.5") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 55 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 703 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $228 $581