Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic G7

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Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic G7

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APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5.

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

Go in depth with our full Panasonic G7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic G7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the G7.
Compare Panasonic G7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic G7 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5 II
Compare K-5 vs K-5 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic G85
Compare G7 vs G85

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs PANASONIC G85

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Panasonic G7

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 3.77 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 1.1 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
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

740 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Bigger RAW buffer
23 vs 16 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic G7 advantages over Pentax K-5

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Newer
9 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Lighter weight
542g vs 1003g
Lighter weight
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
8.1 fps vs 6.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
240 vs 31 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

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
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
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

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
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read G7 User Reviews

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Body Only
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Buy the Panasonic G7

Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)

Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Silver)
Kit with 14-140mm Lens (Black)
Kit with 14-42mm Lens (Black)

All G7 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.
Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).
Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

Compact and lightweight for a fully-featured interchangeable-lens camera; Really fast autofocus; Good all-around performance too; Generous buffer depth; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD and high-res viewfinder; Touch-screen controls; Very affordable pricetag
Out of the box, colors are muted by consumer standards; Warm white balance under incandescent light; Handgrip is a little shallow for those with larger hands; Wi-Fi is overly complex and has limited range
Read our Panasonic G7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Panasonic G7

Canon T3i

$498
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$549
APS-C

Larger sensor
Longer stills battery life

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoots 24p video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Panasonic G7

Nikon D5100

$498
4/3

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$650
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5

Pentax K-30

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Panasonic G7

Pentax K-30

$498
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Panasonic G6

Pentax K-5

Panasonic G6

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$399
4/3

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic G6

Panasonic G7

Panasonic G6

$498
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Faster JPEG shooting

$399
4/3

Less expensive
NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic G6

Compared to Panasonic GH4

Pentax K-5

Panasonic GH4

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$998
4/3

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic GH4

Panasonic G7

Panasonic GH4

$498
4/3

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

$998
4/3

Fast startup
NFC

Compare Panasonic G7 vs Panasonic GH4

Compare Other Cameras?