Panasonic ZS80 vs Pentax K100D

Here is a extensive review of the Panasonic ZS80 versus Pentax K100D, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS80 (20MP) and K100D (6MP) and the ZS80 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The ZS80 was unveiled 11 years later than the K100D and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS80 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS80 grades vs the K100D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 and Pentax K100D. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS80 Gallery and Pentax K100D Gallery.

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you'll have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS80 offers external dimensions of 112mm x 69mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.7" x 1.7") along with a weight of 327 grams (0.72 lbs) while the Pentax K100D has sizing of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS80 versus Pentax K100D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS80 vs the K100D.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS80 and K100D is 86 and 64 respectively.

More often than not, its difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by looking at specifications. The photograph here will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS80 and K100D.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS80 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic ZS80 will give you greater detail having an extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The more recent ZS80 should have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.