• APS-C 366.6mm2
  • 24.3 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 819,200
  • 4/3 224.9mm2
  • 20.3 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 25,600

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Differences

Pentax KP advantages over Panasonic GX9

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 4/3
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 3.91 vs 3.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 390 vs 260 shots
    Capture more photos
  • External Mic Jack
    Jack vs No jack
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • More pixels
    24.3 vs 20.3 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Optional anti-aliasing filter
    Optional vs None
    Lets you choose sharper photos or reduced moiré
  • Faster shutter
    1/24000 vs 1/16000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    819200 vs 25600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic GX9 advantages over Pentax KP

  • Less expensive
    $798 vs $999*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • 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
  • Fast startup
    ~1.00 vs 1.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Thinner
    46 mm vs 75 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Higher-res screen
    413k vs 307k pixels
    More detail on the screen lets you judge focus and composition
  • More viewfinder magnification
    0.70x vs 0.63x
    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
    9.2 fps vs 7.1 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    140 vs 35 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    9.1 fps vs 7.0 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    32 vs 10 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

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
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • 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 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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  • Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Great image quality; Good high ISO performance for its class; Improved JPEG processing; Fast autofocus; Fast ~9fps burst mode.

  • Smallish field-sequential EVF; Below average battery life; No mic/headphone jacks; Noticeable crop on 4K video.

  • Read our Panasonic GX9 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K-3 II

Pentax KP
Pentax K-3 II
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS

Compare Pentax KP vs Pentax K-3 II

Panasonic GX9
Pentax K-3 II
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $830
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Pentax K-3 II

Compared to Panasonic GX85

Pentax KP
Panasonic GX85
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax KP vs Panasonic GX85

Panasonic GX9
Panasonic GX85
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $598
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Panasonic GX85

Compared to Nikon D5600

Pentax KP
Nikon D5600
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1032
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Nikon D5600

Panasonic GX9
Nikon D5600
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $1032
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Nikon D5600

Compared to Canon T7i

Pentax KP
Canon T7i
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Touchscreen

Compare Pentax KP vs Canon T7i

Panasonic GX9
Canon T7i
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $700
  • APS-C
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Olympus E-M10 III

Pentax KP
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • High resolution composite
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Less expensive
  • Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax KP vs Olympus E-M10 III

Panasonic GX9
Olympus E-M10 III
  • $898
  • 4/3
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Built-in Bluetooth
  • $549
  • 4/3
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Lighter weight

Compare Panasonic GX9 vs Olympus E-M10 III

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