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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
83
Imaging
54
Features
76
Overall
62
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 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
  • Launched April 2016
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic GX85 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Advanced Mirrorless and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the GX85 (16MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is relatively well matched but the GX85 (Four Thirds) and K-50 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The GX85 was released 2 years after the K-50 which is quite a big gap as far as 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-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summation of how the GX85 matches up versus the K-50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX85 over the Pentax K-50

 GX85 K-50 
IntroducedApril 2016November 2013More modern by 29 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution1040k921kClearer screen (+119k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic GX85

 K-50 GX85 

Common features in the Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-50

 GX85 K-50 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic GX85 offers external dimensions of 122mm x 71mm x 44mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.7") having a weight of 426 grams (0.94 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic GX85 versus Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the GX85 against the K-50.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GX85 and K-50 is 83 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking specs. The picture here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the GX85 and K-50.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical MP albeit different sensor sizes. The GX85 features the tinier sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF more difficult. The more recent GX85 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography info
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW formats
74
manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Street photography advice
Pentax K-50 Street photography advice
83
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
saves RAW formats
comes with touch to focus
above average ISO range (25,600)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
very good high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Sports photography information
Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
62
quiet shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
supports tracking focus
terrible battery (290 shots)
does not have phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Travel photography information
Pentax K-50 Travel photography information
68
comes with touch to focus
good megapixels (16MP)
flash built-in
terrible battery (290 shots)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
56
environment proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery power (410 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography factors
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (Four Thirds)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (25,600)
saves RAW formats
terrible battery (290 shots)
74
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
low battery power (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX85 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-50 Vlogging advice
35
touchscreen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of microphone socket
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
no external microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
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Panasonic GX85 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX85 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85Pentax K-50
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 Pentax K-50
Alternate name Lumix DMC-GX80 / Lumix DMC-GX7 Mark II -
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-04-05 2013-11-27
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds APS-C
Sensor measurements 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 51600
Min native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Min boosted ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Number of lenses 107 151
Focal length multiplier 2.1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,764 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shooting speed 8.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.00 m (at ISO 200) 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, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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 format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 426 gr (0.94 lb) 650 gr (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 1120
Other
Battery life 290 pictures 410 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $800 $610