Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic G9

Cameras
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Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic G9

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35mm 861.6mm²
36.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 204,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-1 Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax K-1 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the K-1.
Compare Pentax K-1 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Pentax K-1 conclusion.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G9.
Compare Panasonic G9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G9 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-1 II
Compare K-1 vs K-1 II
Compare Pentax K-1 II vs Panasonic G9

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Differences

Pentax K-1 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

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

760 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
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G9 advantages over Pentax K-1

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 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Lighter weight
658g vs 1015g
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 4.6 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

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-1 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G9 User Reviews

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Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 12-60mm f/2.8-4 lens

All G9 Deals

Review Excerpt

Unlocks the full potential of full-frame Pentax lenses; Excellent image quality; Great ergonomics and build; Very compact for full-frame; Decent performance; Fast autofocus with great low-light capabilities; Very wide sensitivity range; Bright, accurate viewfinder; Articulated LCD; Stabilization, Wi-Fi and GPS in-camera
No built-in flash strobe; Quite heavy compared to APS-C flagships; Somewhat soft images and blown highlights by default in JPEG mode; Warm Auto white balance indoors; Slow startup and buffer clearing; Small top-deck status display; Weak viewfinder illumination; Below-average battery life for DSLR
Read our Pentax K-1 Review

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

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1549
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS

Panasonic G9

Canon 5DS

$965
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$1549
35mm

Less expensive
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Pentax K-1

Canon 5D Mark IV

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2249
35mm

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Panasonic G9

Canon 5D Mark IV

$965
4/3

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$2249
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Panasonic GH5

Pentax K-1

Panasonic GH5

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$1348
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic GH5

Panasonic G9

Panasonic GH5

$965
4/3

High resolution composite
Top deck display

$1348
4/3

Less expensive
Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic GH5

Compared to Pentax K-1 II

Pentax K-1

Pentax K-1 II

$1800
35mm

$1747
35mm

Higher extended ISO

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Pentax K-1 II

Panasonic G9

Pentax K-1 II

$965
4/3

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Panasonic G95

Pentax K-1

Panasonic G95

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$848
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic G95

Panasonic G9

Panasonic G95

$965
4/3

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$848
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Panasonic G9 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?