Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic GH6

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-1 vs Panasonic GH6

Leave Feedback

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
25.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GH6 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the GH6.

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-1 advantages over Panasonic GH6

Less expensive
$1800 vs $2200 (MSRP)
Save money for lenses or accessories
Larger sensor
35mm vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.88 vs 3.00 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Built-in GPS
GPS vs None
Geotag your photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More pixels
36.4 vs 25.2 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 GH6 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
No vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Yes vs No
Always-on wireless connectivity
Newer
3 years vs 9 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More dots on screen
1840k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
75.0 fps vs 4.6 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
200 vs 74 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-1

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GH6

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

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic GH6, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Panasonic GH6 Shooter's Report

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 GH6

Canon 5DS

$2200
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1549
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH6 vs Canon 5DS

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Pentax K-1

Canon 5DS R

$1800
35mm

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1499
35mm

Fast startup
More cross-type AF points

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Canon 5DS R

Panasonic GH6

Canon 5DS R

$2200
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH6 vs Canon 5DS R

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 GH6

Pentax K-1 II

$2200
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$1747
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GH6 vs Pentax K-1 II

Compared to Olympus E-M1X

Pentax K-1

Olympus E-M1X

$1800
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$2240
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-1 vs Olympus E-M1X

Panasonic GH6

Olympus E-M1X

$2200
4/3

Slower slow-motion
Newer

$2240
4/3

Built-in GPS
Longer video battery life

Compare Panasonic GH6 vs Olympus E-M1X

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 GH6

Panasonic G95

$2200
4/3

Slower slow-motion
High resolution composite

$848
4/3

In-camera panoramas
Internal flash

Compare Panasonic GH6 vs Panasonic G95

Compare Other Cameras?