• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 16.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 12,800
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • ISO 160 - 12,800

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Differences

Pentax K-01 advantages over Panasonic G5

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • 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
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.81 vs 3.75 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 310 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 12800 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G5 advantages over Pentax K-01

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Fast startup
    ~1.30 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • More telephoto lens reach
    84 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
  • Less shutter lag
    0.19 vs 0.80 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Wider angle kit lens
    28 mm vs 61 mm
    Capture more of the scene with the included lens
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    18 vs 9 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • 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 Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic G5

Review Excerpt

  • Very good image quality and excellent high ISO performance. Premium build quality. In-body image stabilization. Lots of creative features. Full HD movie capture with manual exposure control.

  • Barely any smaller than a standard SLR, but lacks viewfinder and phase-detect autofocus. Contrast-detect AF is slow and unreliable. Body design is clumsy and uncomfortable. Very slow raw burst shooting.

  • Small, compact body with excellent focusing and exposure capabilities; Newly enhanced touchpanel LCD screen makes image capture and review a joy; Excellent HD video recording quality.

  • Some controls difficult to access; Too easy to activate menus and options while shooting; Lack of a microphone-in jack limits video recording usefulness.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung NX10

Pentax K-01
Samsung NX10
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic G5
Samsung NX10
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Samsung NX20

Pentax K-01
Samsung NX20
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Focus peaking
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic G5
Samsung NX20
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • Touchscreen
  • $400
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Panasonic G6

Pentax K-01
Panasonic G6
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G6
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $399
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Tilt-swivel screen

Compared to Samsung NX30

Pentax K-01
Samsung NX30
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic G5
Samsung NX30
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • Lens selection
  • More viewfinder magnification
  • $899
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor

Compared to Panasonic G7

Pentax K-01
Panasonic G7
  • $359
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Panasonic G5
Panasonic G7
  • $500
  • 4/3
  • $498
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • Tilt-swivel screen
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