Pentax KP vs Panasonic GX9

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax KP vs Panasonic GX9

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 819,200

Go in depth with our full Pentax KP Review.
How does it shoot? Pentax KP in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the KP.

4/3 224.9mm²
20.3 megapixels
ISO 200 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Panasonic GX9 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic GX9 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the GX9.
Compare Panasonic GX9 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic GX9 conclusion.

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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

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

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

Amazon
Adorama
Read KP User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read GX9 User Reviews

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Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax KP

Body Only (Black)

Body Only (Black)
Body Only (Silver)

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic GX9

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)

Kit with 12-60mm lens (Black)
Kit with 12-60mm lens (Silver)

Review Excerpt

We haven’t finished our review of the Pentax KP, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Pentax KP Shooter's Report

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

$1065
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

$1065
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

Compare Other Cameras?