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
Z CAM
E2-M4
Compact MFT cinema box with 4K 120p, ZRAW, ProRes, and interchangeable MFT lenses.
$1,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2023
E2-M4 is 7.2 years newer.
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Wins
K-1
Wins
E2-M4
7 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BE2-M4 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 101)
- AK-1 has higher Resolution (36.4 MP vs 10.28 MP)
- BE2-M4 has lower Weight (370 g vs 1010 g)
- AK-1 has higher RAW buffer depth (120 frames vs 60 frames)
- BE2-M4 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareK-1
137 × 111 × 87 mm
1010 g (2.23 lb / 35.63 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
E2-M4
91 × 66 × 72 mm
370 g (0.82 lb / 13.05 oz)
K-1 is 46mm wider, 45mm taller, and 15mm thicker than E2-M4.
K-1 is 640 g heavier than E2-M4.
Depth (front-to-back): 87mm K-1 · 72mm E2-M4
Sensor size, to scale
K-1
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
E2-M4
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
K-1
Pentax K
70+
native lenses available
E2-M4
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
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
K-1
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 137, 110.5, 86.5
Resolution
36.4 MP vs 10.28 MP — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
120 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
20 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Reasons to choose
E2-M4
AF low-light limit
-6.5 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better
Codecs
Adds ZRAW, ProRes
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 91, 66, 72
AF points / zones
1053 vs 101 — higher is better
Weight
370 g vs 1010 g — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only E2-M4 supports it
Max video bit rate
200 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
E2-M4
Pros
- ✓Tiny MFT cinema box
- ✓4K 120p
- ✓ZRAW internal
- ✓Affordable cinema entry
Cons
- –No screen
- –MFT sensor
- –Manual focus workflow
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the K-1 and E2-M4 at major authorized retailers.
Pentax K-1
Z CAM E2-M4
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, K-1 or E2-M4?
K-1 scores 8.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for E2-M4 — 36.4MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the K-1 and E2-M4?
K-1 is 36.4 MP and E2-M4 is 10.28 MP, so the K-1 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the K-1 and E2-M4 have in-body image stabilization?
K-1 has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while E2-M4 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the K-1 or the E2-M4?
K-1 reaches 20 fps electronic. E2-M4 reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the K-1 and E2-M4?
K-1 weighs 1010 g and E2-M4 weighs 370 g, so the E2-M4 is 640 g lighter.
Do the K-1 and E2-M4 record 4K video?
K-1: 4K up to 60p. E2-M4: 4K up to 120p.
Are the K-1 and E2-M4 weather sealed?
K-1: Yes. E2-M4: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the K-1 and 640 shots for the E2-M4, giving the E2-M4 the edge.
How much does each cost?
K-1 launched at $1,799 and E2-M4 at $1,299. The E2-M4 is $500 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way K-1 vs E2-M4 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.