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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30

Portability
83
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 front
 
Pentax K-30 front
Portability
63
Imaging
57
Features
66
Overall
60

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Key Specs

Panasonic GX85
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 426g - 122 x 71 x 44mm
  • Announced April 2016
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
Pentax K-30
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced October 2012
  • Later Model is Pentax K-50
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-30, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GX85 (16MP) and the K-30 (16MP) is relatively similar but the GX85 (Four Thirds) and K-30 (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The GX85 was introduced 3 years later than the K-30 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic GX85 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-30 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the GX85 scores vs the K-30 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX85 over the Pentax K-30

 GX85 K-30 
AnnouncedApril 2016October 2012Fresher by 42 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kSharper screen (+119k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-30 over the Panasonic GX85

 K-30 GX85 

Common features in the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-30

 GX85 K-30 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic GX85 features exterior dimensions of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") and a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-30 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-30 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the GX85 vs the K-30.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the GX85 and K-30 is 83 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the GX85 and K-30.

As you can see, the 2 cameras provide the same MP albeit different sensor sizing. The GX85 has got the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field more difficult. The fresher GX85 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-30 Portrait photography information
72
has manual focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-30 Street photography highlights
83
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
exports RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
very good high ISO (25,600)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX85 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-30 as a Sports photography camera
62
silent mode (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
provides tracking autofocus
not so great battery power (290 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
bad battery power (410 shots)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-30 Travel photography advice
68
comes with touch to focus
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
not so great battery power (290 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
60
weather proofing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
bad battery power (410 per charge)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic GX85
Landscape photography with Pentax K-30
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW formats
not so great battery power (290 per charge)
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-30 Vlogging highlights
35
touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection focus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone port
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of mic socket
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-30 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-30
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85Pentax K-30
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Pentax K-30
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II -
Category Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-04-05 2012-10-29
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 area 224.9mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias 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 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW photos
Lowest boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 49 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,764k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/6000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 8.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye,Slow Sync, Slow Sync+ Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 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 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 426 grams (0.94 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 122 x 71 x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 79
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 13.0
DXO Low light rating 662 1129
Other
Battery life 290 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $800 $525