• 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 6400
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 36.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200

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Differences

Panasonic GF5 advantages over Pentax K-1 II

  • Less expensive
    $330 vs $1997
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Internal flash
    Internal flash vs None
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Thinner
    36 mm vs 85 mm
    Thinner
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Pentax K-1 II advantages over Panasonic GF5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Larger sensor
    35mm vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 670 vs 330 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More telephoto lens reach
    105 mm vs 84 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • More pixels
    36.4 vs 12.1 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Dual card slots
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Yes vs No
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs Fixed
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 4.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    77 vs 5 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GF5

Review Excerpt

  • Small body pairs nicely with compact, retractable Power Zoom lens. Extremely fast autofocus. Worthwhile improvements in image quality. Touchscreen overlays can now be hidden.

  • LCD panel is prone to fingerprint smudges. Weak flash, and no hot shoe. Modest burst performance, and very limited buffer for raw shooting. Noise levels and dynamic range still lag competition.

  • 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.

The Competition

Compared to Olympus E-PL3

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PL3
  • $330
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Fast startup
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Tiltable Screen
Pentax K-1 II
Olympus E-PL3
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Olympus E-PM1

Panasonic GF5
Olympus E-PM1
  • $330
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Hot shoe
Pentax K-1 II
Olympus E-PM1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Thinner
  • Longer exposure

Compared to Panasonic GF3X

Panasonic GF5
Panasonic GF3X
  • $330
  • 4/3
  • Higher effective ISO
  • More dynamic range
  • $750
  • 4/3
Pentax K-1 II
Panasonic GF3X
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $750
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash

Compared to Pentax K-1

Panasonic GF5
Pentax K-1
  • $330
  • 4/3
  • Touchscreen
  • Internal flash
  • $1800
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-1 II
Pentax K-1
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $1800
  • 35mm

Compared to Nikon D850

Panasonic GF5
Nikon D850
  • $330
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Internal flash
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Pentax K-1 II
Nikon D850
  • $1747
  • 35mm
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • High resolution composite
  • $2464
  • 35mm
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
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