GH5vs Pentax 17
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Video, Filmmaking & Hybrid Shooting — GH5 (2017): The GH5 redefined what a consumer video camera could do — 4K/60p and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording made it the independent filmmaker's tool of choice for years.
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Who should buy what
GH5 (2017)
- Independent filmmakers who need 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording without a dedicated cinema camera
- YouTube creators who want 4K/60p, a fully articulating screen, and unlimited recording
- Photographers who shoot primarily stills but need serious video capability as a second
- GH4 owners who want 4K/60p and 10-bit — a significant step up
Quick take: The pentax 17 is the most affordable; only the gh5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | GH5 (2017) | Pentax 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £699 | £400 |
| Sensor | 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds Live MOS | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) |
| Resolution | 20.3MP | — |
| Video | 4K/60p, C4K/30p, 1080p/180p; 10-bit 4:2:2 internal; unlimited recording | N/A — film camera |
| Autofocus | Contrast-detect DFD AF, face/eye detection | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops; Dual IS 2 with compatible lenses (6.5 stops) | N/A — film camera |
| Burst Rate | 12fps (AFS), 9fps (AFC) | Manual wind-on |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | 2× CR2 lithium batteries |
| Weight | 725g (with battery and card) | ~165g (without batteries) |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 98.1 × 87.4mm | 113 × 66 × 44mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.68M dots, 0.76× magnification | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M dots | N/A |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | 35mm 135-format film cartridge |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, headphone jack, HDMI | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | GH5 | Pentax 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Street | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history