Panasonic ZS200 vs Pentax ist DL2

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS200 vs Pentax ist DL2, one being a Large Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS200 (20MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the ZS200 (1") and ist DL2 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The ZS200 was released 12 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS200 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief overview of how the ZS200 matches up versus the ist DL2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200 and Pentax ist DL2. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS200 Gallery and Pentax ist DL2 Gallery.

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you're going to have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS200 provides external dimensions of 111mm x 66mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.8") and a weight of 340 grams (0.75 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS200 vs Pentax ist DL2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS200 versus the ist DL2.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZS200 and ist DL2 is 86 and 69 respectively.

Generally, its difficult to envision the difference in sensor measurements just by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS200 and ist DL2.

Clearly, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS200 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic ZS200 will provide greater detail as a result of its extra 14MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more recent ZS200 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.