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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
67
Imaging
37
Features
62
Overall
47
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ100
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 540g - 124 x 82 x 92mm
  • Introduced July 2010
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ200
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Its time to take a deeper look at the Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ100 (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is pretty similar but the FZ100 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The FZ100 was revealed 5 months prior to the K-5 which means that they are of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ100 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the FZ100 scores versus the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ100 over the Pentax K-5

 FZ100 K-5 
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic FZ100

 K-5 FZ100 
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-5

 FZ100 K-5 
LaunchedJuly 2010December 2010Similar generation
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera often, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ100 has outer dimensions of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") having a weight of 540 grams (1.19 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the FZ100 against the K-5.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ100 and K-5 is 67 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture below should give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ100 and K-5.

As you can tell, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The FZ100 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-5 will offer you more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography details
54
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
73
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 Street photography information
58
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
heavier than average (540g)
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 Sports photography features
51
incredible zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
supports tracking focus
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 Travel photography advice
59
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen is selfie friendly
rather wide (25mm)
very long reach (600mm)
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than average (540g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather sealing
good MP (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography details
51
manual focus
rather wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ100 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 Vlogging highlights
64
rather wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic jack
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
heavier than average (540g)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FZ100 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ100 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100Pentax K-5
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ100 Pentax K-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-07-21 2010-12-18
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 11.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 9.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 540g (1.19 pounds) 740g (1.63 pounds)
Dimensions 124 x 82 x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $500 $800