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Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
90
Imaging
55
Features
70
Overall
61
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic GX850
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 25600
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 269g - 107 x 65 x 33mm
  • Revealed January 2017
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • 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  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1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 GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic GX850 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the GX850 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly close but the GX850 (Four Thirds) and K-S2 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The GX850 was unveiled 24 months later than the K-S2 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic GX850 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a short introduction of how the GX850 grades versus the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic GX850 over the Pentax K-S2

 GX850 K-S2 
LaunchedJanuary 2017February 2015Fresher by 24 months
Display resolution1040k921kClearer display (+119k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic GX850

 K-S2 GX850 
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display

Common features in the Panasonic GX850 and Pentax K-S2

 GX850 K-S2 
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurements
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic GX850 features outside dimensions of 107mm x 65mm x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic GX850 versus Pentax K-S2 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the GX850 compared to the K-S2.

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the GX850 and K-S2 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing specs. The photograph below should give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the GX850 and K-S2.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The GX850 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-S2 will result in greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern GX850 provides an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic GX850 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
66
manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
78
has manual focus
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Street photography features
Pentax K-S2 Street photography features
80
screen tilts
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
supports RAW formats
provides focus via touch
great high ISO (25,600)
no image stabilization
72
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic GX850 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Sports photography camera
52
silent shooting (1/16,000 seconds)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
includes tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/500 seconds)
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (210 shots)
lacks phase detect AF
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 fps)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Travel photography information
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography information
79
provides focus via touch
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
bad battery pack (210 shots)
65
weather sealing
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography factors
71
manual focus
change lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
decent sized screen (3")
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is good (Four Thirds)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (25,600)
supports RAW formats
no image stabilization
bad battery pack (210 CIPA)
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic GX850 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging factors
73
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
includes face detect focusing
good video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
no image stabilization
missing microphone support
71
selfie friendly screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic port
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Panasonic GX850 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic GX850 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX850 Pentax K-S2
Also Known as Lumix DMC-GX800 / Lumix DMC-GF9 -
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2017-01-04 2015-02-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine 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 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4592 x 3448 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 25600 51200
Lowest native ISO 200 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO 100 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mounting type Micro Four Thirds Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 107 151
Crop factor 2.1 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/500s 1/6000s
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per sec 5.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC3840 x 2160 @ 24p / 100 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, MP4, H.264, AAC1920 x 1080 @ 60p / 28 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 60i / 17 Mbps, AVCHD, MTS, H.264, Dolby Digital1920 x 1080 @ 30p / 20 Mbps, MP4, H.264 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 269 grams (0.59 lbs) 678 grams (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 107 x 65 x 33mm (4.2" x 2.6" x 1.3") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 73 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 23.2 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 13.3 not tested
DXO Low light score 586 not tested
Other
Battery life 210 shots 410 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2, 10 sec, 3 images/10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Storage media microSD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $548 $581