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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
74
Imaging
59
Features
84
Overall
69
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic GX8
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 487g - 133 x 78 x 63mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Superseded the Panasonic GX7
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GX8 versus Pentax K-r, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the GX8 (20MP) and K-r (12MP) and the GX8 (Four Thirds) and K-r (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizing.

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The GX8 was brought out 4 years after the K-r which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX8 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the GX8 grades vs the K-r for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX8 over the Pentax K-r

 GX8 K-r 
RevealedJuly 2015March 2011Newer by 53 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic GX8

 K-r GX8 

Common features in the Panasonic GX8 and Pentax K-r

 GX8 K-r 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're going to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GX8 provides outer measurements of 133mm x 78mm x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") having a weight of 487 grams (1.07 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") along with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic GX8 versus Pentax K-r in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the GX8 against the K-r.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the GX8 and K-r is 74 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Often, it's difficult to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching specifications. The pic underneath might give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the GX8 and K-r.

Plainly, both the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The GX8 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic GX8 will render greater detail having its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more recent GX8 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic GX8
Portrait photography with Pentax K-r
75
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
63
has manual focus
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic GX8
Street photography with Pentax K-r
80
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW formats
comes with focus via touch
environment proof
good ISO range (25,600)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Sports photography features
Pentax K-r Sports photography features
68
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
terrible battery life (330 per charge)
no phase detect AF
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic GX8
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
73
environment proof
comes with focus via touch
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
selfie friendly display
terrible battery life (330 CIPA)
47
has built in flash
not so great battery pack (470 CIPA)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX8 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-r Landscape photography info
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
good ISO range (25,600)
delivers RAW formats
environment proof
terrible battery life (330 per charge)
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
81
selfie friendly display
touchscreen enabled
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does have microphone jack
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic GX8 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX8 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8 Pentax K-r
Type Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2015-07-16 2011-03-11
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5184 x 3888 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 25600 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 49 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Amount of lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.77x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/6000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 12.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 487 grams (1.07 lb) 598 grams (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 133 x 78 x 63mm (5.2" x 3.1" x 2.5") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 75 72
DXO Color Depth rating 23.5 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 12.4
DXO Low light rating 806 755
Other
Battery life 330 images 470 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Price at release $898 $1,100