Pentax K-7 and Panasonic GH1 comparison
May 31, 2009 by Norman · 4 Comments
Pentax K-7 and Panasonic GH1 are the two semi-pro digital SLRs on the block. Pentax K-7 is notable for its weather resistant, dustproof, and cold-proof magnesium alloy body. On the other hand, Panasonic GH1 has one of best HD video modes with 60fps. Which one should you buy?
Although it is too early to compare the two in details especially their image qualities, the following is an attempt to give you some comparisons of key features, at least from the specifications of GH1 and K-7. This post will be updated as soon as more information become available. Please stay tuned for the updates!
Building quality, dimensions and price
- Pentax K-7:
131 x 97 x 73 mm, No battery: 670 g (1.4 lb), with battery: 750 g (1.6 lb)*
Made of magnesium/steel alloy, stainless steel chassis, weather-sealed
Pentax K-7 will be sold for $1299 body only.
- Panasonic GH1:
124 mm x 90 mm x 45 mm 385g / 13.58 oz
made of sturdy plastic with some metal on the inside and on the mounts.
Panasonic GH1 will be sold for $1499.
LCD display:
Pentax has a higher resolution LCD with 920,000 dots. Panasonic GH1 has a lower resolution LCD with 460,000 dots.
Video Comparison
The GH1 will shoot in two different high-definition modes: 1080i (1920 x 1080 resolution) at 24 frames per second, and 720p (1280 x 720) at 60 frames per second, with Dolby stereo sound, stored in compact AVCHD files.
The GH1 has a dedicated lens, the LUMIX G VARIO HD 14-140mm/F4.0-5.8 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S that offers compatibility with the GH1’s continuous autofocusing functionality, and features a low-noise AF motor so as to keep focusing sounds to a minimum. This lens, that has quiet AF, is designed for fast contrast-detect. It also has an aperture that changes smoothly and quietly with changes in scene brightness and ISO.
K-7 has three movie modes: 1280 x 720 (16:9 720p), 1536 x 1024 (3:2 1080i) and 640 x 416 (3:2) which recorded in Motion JPEG (AVI). K-7 has no AF during video recording.
The major advantage of GH1 over K-7 is the HD video capture.
Sensitivity, shooting speed and max shutter speed:
Pentax K-7 has a higher max sensitivity of ISO 6400. Panasonic GH1 has max ISO 3200.
K-7 has a max shutter speed of 1/8000 second and GH1 has a max shutter of 1/4000 second.
K-7 has a continuous shoot speed of 5.2 fps and GH1 has a continuous shoot speed of only 2-3 fps.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a solid digital SLR used in tough environments such as high humidity, dusty and cold weather conditions, Pentax K-7 is the one to buy. If you want for a digital SLR which has better video mode, Panasonic GH1 is the one for you. As a digital SLR in general, Pentax K-7 is a better choice than Panasonic GH1 for its higher ISO, continuous shooting speed and clear view LCD. For more information on Pentax K-7, read Pentax K-7 hands-on previews and sample images. There are reviews available on Panasonic GH1.
Related posts:
Well, to the comparision they should add the lens issue, of course they can’t expect people buying a DSLR with interchangable lens and not bung other lens… well, here is where having a APS-C camera makes a difference compared with the micro 3/4, you can have beautiful large aperture lens (i.e. f2.8) which you can’t hace (at least yet) in the micros. External microphone input. UN-compressed video stands for better quality and faster editing (also for taking up a lot of space).
So, so far, in my opinion, if you are a serious photographer (that most probably earns it’s money in a field other than photo) and you want to do ocasional video but you want it to be very good, go pentax, if you are interested in the photo only, get the pentax image quality is much better and you have a better lens line-up.
If you want a slighty smalle camera, you don’t mind a some noise in your low ligh video (becuase for you the most important thing is it being 1080p) the Panasonic seems like a good choice, believe me, it’s a good camera, and god for video (but then, there are much better HD video cameras if you don’t neef a large apperture lens and a good low light sensor).
Although I have the new Pentax K7
7 only a couple of weeks, I’m totally impressed with the possibilities, the praticality – with everything. It’s the best Pentax ever – and I’v had some, starting with the old Spotmatic.