Panasonic
Lumix S5 II
Phase-detect L-mount hybrid with 6K open gate and strong video tools.
$1,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2023
Pentax
K-1
Original 36MP full-frame Pentax DSLR with 5-axis SR, AA filter simulator, and weather sealing.
$1,799
Launch priceReleased Apr 2016
Lumix S5 II is 6.7 years newer.
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Wins
Lumix S5 II
Wins
K-1
7 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- ALumix S5 II has higher AF points / zones (779 vs 101)
- ALumix S5 II has higher ISO max (native) (51,200 vs 25,600)
- BK-1 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 370 shots)
- ALumix S5 II has higher RAW buffer depth (200 frames vs 120 frames)
- BK-1 has higher Resolution (36.4 MP vs 24.2 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 × 90 mm
740 g (1.63 lb / 26.10 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
K-1
137 × 111 × 87 mm
1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)
Lumix S5 II is 3mm narrower and 8mm shorter than K-1 but it is also 4mm thicker.
Lumix S5 II is 270 g lighter than K-1.
Depth (front-to-back): 90mm Lumix S5 II · 87mm K-1
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Lumix S5 II
134 × 102 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
K-1
137 × 111 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Lumix S5 II
134 × 90 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
K-1
137 × 87 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Lumix S5 II
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
K-1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Lumix S5 II: mount data unavailable
K-1
✓ more lensesPentax K
70+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Lumix S5 II
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134.3, 102.3, 90.1
AF points / zones
779 vs 101 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Face, Eye, Car…
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Lumix S5 II supports it
Codecs
Adds MOV, MP4
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Reasons to choose
K-1
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 137, 110.5, 86.5
AA filter
Only K-1 supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Vehicle
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only K-1 supports it
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 370 shots — higher is better
Resolution
36.4 MP vs 24.2 MP — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 3,680,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 60 fps
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Lumix S5 II
Pros
- ✓Phase-detect AF finally
- ✓6K open gate
- ✓IBIS
- ✓Great value
Cons
- –24MP resolution
- –L-mount size
- –AF still behind Canon/Sony
K-1
Pros
- ✓36MP full-frame
- ✓IBIS in DSLR
- ✓AA filter simulator
- ✓Weather sealed
Cons
- –Slow AF vs mirrorless
- –Heavy
- –Superseded by K-1 II
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the Lumix S5 II and K-1 at major authorized retailers.
Panasonic Lumix S5 II
Pentax K-1
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Lumix S5 II or K-1?
Lumix S5 II scores 9.5/10 versus 6.5/10 for K-1 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Lumix S5 II and K-1?
Lumix S5 II is 24.2 MP and K-1 is 36.4 MP, so the K-1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Lumix S5 II and K-1 have in-body image stabilization?
Lumix S5 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while K-1 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Lumix S5 II or the K-1?
Lumix S5 II reaches 30 fps electronic. K-1 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Lumix S5 II and K-1?
Lumix S5 II weighs 740 g and K-1 weighs 1010 g, so the Lumix S5 II is 270 g lighter.
Do the Lumix S5 II and K-1 record 4K video?
Lumix S5 II: 6K Open Gate (max), 4K up to 60p. K-1: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Lumix S5 II and K-1 weather sealed?
Lumix S5 II: Yes. K-1: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 370 shots (CIPA) for the Lumix S5 II and 640 shots for the K-1, giving the K-1 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Lumix S5 II launched at $1,999 and K-1 at $1,799. The K-1 is $200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Lumix S5 II vs K-1 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Panasonic and Pentax press materials.