Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic GF7

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Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic GF7

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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 GF7 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GF7 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GF7.
Compare Panasonic GF7 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GF7 conclusion.

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

Succeeded by the Panasonic GX850
Compare GF7 vs GX850

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs PANASONIC GX850

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Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Panasonic GF7

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 4/3
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Eye-level viewfinder
Eye-level vs Rear display only
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
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 230 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 64 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Higher max flash sync
1/180 vs 1/50 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.24 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Bigger JPEG buffer
31 vs 7 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GF7 advantages over Pentax K-5

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
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
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
33 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Newer
10 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
342g vs 1003g
Lighter weight
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
11.1 fps vs 6.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

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

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
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 GF7 User Reviews

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Buy the Pentax K-5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-5 Deals

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Buy the Panasonic GF7

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-32mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-32mm lens (Pink)

All GF7 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

Very good image quality for its size; Fast AF for its class; 10fps burst mode with electronic shutter; Lightweight, yet well-built, compact design; Great value for the money.
Continuous AF is not reliable; Shallow buffer with RAW; Below average battery life; No EVF; Maximum mechanical shutter speed of only 1/500s.
Read our Panasonic GF7 Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Panasonic GF7

Canon T3i

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF7 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

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Panasonic GF7

Nikon D5100

$590
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GF7 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

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Panasonic GF7

Pentax K-30

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Touchscreen

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Panasonic GM5

Pentax K-5

Panasonic GM5

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$898
4/3

Focus peaking
Touchscreen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic GM5

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GM5

$590
4/3

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

$898
4/3

Eye-level viewfinder
Hot shoe

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GM5

Compared to Panasonic GX850

Pentax K-5

Panasonic GX850

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$548
4/3

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic GX850

Panasonic GF7

Panasonic GX850

$590
4/3

Fast startup
Has anti-aliasing filter

$548
4/3

Shoot 4K video
Lacks anti-aliasing filter

Compare Panasonic GF7 vs Panasonic GX850

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