• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Panasonic G9 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $1498 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Fast startup
    ~0.90 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Lighter weight
    658g vs 1010g
    Lighter weight
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.83x vs 0.70x
    Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.5 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    60.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    50 vs 17 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Panasonic G9

  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.88 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 400 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 50 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Top deck display
    Both provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

User reviews

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Review Excerpt

  • Great build quality; Very good image quality; Effective IBIS; Excellent performance; Fast shooting speeds; 4K/60p video.

  • No phase-detection autofocus; 10-minute limit for 4k60p video clips; No V-Log or 10-bit video.

  • Read our Panasonic G9 Review

  • Excellent build and comfortable handling; Bright, roomy viewfinder and articulated LCD; Great image quality; Good performance for the class; In-camera stabilization, GPS and Wi-Fi; Incredibly feature-rich design.

  • Bulkier than APS-C DSLRs; Top ISOs are for the spec sheet, not the real world; JPEGs are a bit punchy by default; Slow startup; Below-average battery life; Only a relatively modest update to the K-1.

  • Read our Pentax K-1 II Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic G9
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Less expensive
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1 II
Canon 5D Mark IV
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Focus peaking
  • $2249
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Olympus E-M1 II

Panasonic G9
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • Top deck display
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Longer video battery life

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Olympus E-M1 II

Pentax K-1 II
Olympus E-M1 II
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $899
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Olympus E-M1 II

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9
Panasonic GH5
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • High resolution composite
  • Top deck display
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic GH5
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1348
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Nikon D850

Panasonic G9
Nikon D850
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Nikon D850

Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2597
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Nikon D850

Compared to Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9
Panasonic G95
  • $948
  • 4/3
  • Slower slow-motion
  • High resolution composite
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic G95
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $848
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?