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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
83
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
  • Released April 2016
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
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
  • Released June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Here, we are analyzing the Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the GX85 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is fairly close but the GX85 (Four Thirds) and K-5 II (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The GX85 was introduced 2 years later than the K-5 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic GX85 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the GX85 matches up vs the K-5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX85 over the Pentax K-5 II

 GX85 K-5 II 
ReleasedApril 2016June 2013More recent by 35 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution1040k921kClearer display (+119k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic GX85

 K-5 II GX85 

Common features in the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-5 II

 GX85 K-5 II 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display size3"3"Same display measurements
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic GX85 comes with exterior measurements of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") along with a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the GX85 against the K-5 II.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the GX85 and K-5 II is 83 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by researching specs. The visual here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the GX85 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, both cameras come with the identical resolution but different sensor measurements. The GX85 features the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower DOF harder. The newer GX85 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography factors
72
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
delivers RAW files
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Street photography highlights
83
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
delivers RAW files
offers focus by touch
good high ISO (25,600)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography features
62
silent shutter (1/16,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
features tracking focus
not so great battery life (290 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography advice
68
offers focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
65
weather sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX85 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
74
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is decent (Four Thirds)
does not have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (25,600)
delivers RAW files
not so great battery life (290 per charge)
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging information
35
built-in touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detect focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have mic jack
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Pentax K-5 II
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II -
Class Advanced Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2016-04-05 2013-06-04
Physical type Rangefinder-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime II
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
Highest resolution 4592 x 3448 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 200 100
RAW format
Minimum boosted ISO 100 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 49 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,764k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Maximum silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting rate 8.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 13.00 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 122 x 71 x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 71 82
DXO Color Depth rating 22.9 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 12.6 14.1
DXO Low light rating 662 1235
Other
Battery life 290 shots 980 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $800 $830