Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-S1

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Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-S1

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4/3 224.9mm²
16.1 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH4 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GH4 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GH4.
Compare Panasonic GH4 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GH4 conclusion.

APS-C 366.6mm²
20.1 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-S1 Review.

Succeeded by the Panasonic GH5
Compare GH4 vs GH5
Compare Panasonic GH5 vs Pentax K-S1

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Differences

Panasonic GH4 advantages over Pentax K-S1

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Shoot 4K video
4K (DCI) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
12.8 fps vs 5.4 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
Unlimited vs 20 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos

Pentax K-S1 advantages over Panasonic GH4

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-S1 test data on DxO Mark GH4 test data on DxO Mark

1,061 vs 791 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.1 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Optional anti-aliasing filter
Optional vs Fixed
Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
Higher extended ISO
51200 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
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
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
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Neither provide
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

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Read K-S1 User Reviews

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Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm and 50-200mm Lenses

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Review Excerpt

Excellent still image quality for its class; Fantastic, highly-detailed video quality; Superior video recording chops with 4K video (both Cinema 4K and Ultra HD); Responsive all-around performer with great AF performance and burst shooting; Rolling shutter is minimal with 60p and 30p video; Splash- and dust-proof magnesium alloy body; Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC.
High ISO performance not as good as some APS-C models (IQ drops quickly past ISO 3200); Overall still image quality not significantly better than the GH3; Sluggish buffer clearing with RAW files; Rolling shutter noticeable on 4K video; Not as compact as most mirrorless cameras.
Read our Panasonic GH4 Review

We haven’t reviewed the Pentax K-S1.
Read our Pentax K-S1 Preview

The Competition

Compared to Panasonic GH3

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic GH3

$899
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$798
4/3

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic GH3

Pentax K-S1

Panasonic GH3

$502
APS-C

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$798
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Panasonic GH3

Compared to Sony A58

Panasonic GH4

Sony A58

$899
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Lens selection

$598
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Sony A58

Pentax K-S1

Sony A58

$502
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$598
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Sony A58

Compared to Olympus E-M1

Panasonic GH4

Olympus E-M1

$899
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1099
4/3

In-Camera Image Stabilization
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Olympus E-M1

Pentax K-S1

Olympus E-M1

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
Higher effective ISO

$1099
4/3

Touchscreen
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Olympus E-M1

Compared to Pentax K-S2

Panasonic GH4

Pentax K-S2

$899
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$499
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Pentax K-S2

Pentax K-S1

Pentax K-S2

$502
APS-C

Higher-res screen

$499
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Pentax K-S2

Compared to Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

$899
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic GH4 vs Panasonic G7

Pentax K-S1

Panasonic G7

$502
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-S1 vs Panasonic G7

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