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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
55
Imaging
52
Features
80
Overall
63
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ1000
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-400mm (F2.8-4.0) lens
  • 831g - 137 x 99 x 131mm
  • Released June 2014
  • Successor is Panasonic FZ2500
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Superseded the Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Panasonic FZ1000 versus Pentax K-S2, former being a Large Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ1000 (20MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very well matched but the FZ1000 (1") and K-S2 (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The FZ1000 was launched 8 months prior to the K-S2 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ1000 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the FZ1000 grades versus the K-S2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ1000 over the Pentax K-S2

 FZ1000 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic FZ1000

 K-S2 FZ1000 
IntroducedFebruary 2015June 2014More recent by 8 months

Common features in the Panasonic FZ1000 and Pentax K-S2

 FZ1000 K-S2 
Manually focus More accurate focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFully ArticulatedFully Articulated display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display measurement
Display resolution921k921kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Both are selfie friendly
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ1000 enjoys exterior dimensions of 137mm x 99mm x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") having a weight of 831 grams (1.83 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FZ1000 versus Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the FZ1000 and the K-S2.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FZ1000 and K-S2 is 55 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements only by looking at specs. The photograph below should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ1000 and K-S2.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels but different sensor measurements. The FZ1000 contains the tinier sensor which should make obtaining bokeh more challenging. The older FZ1000 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography features
71
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
78
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
71
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
great high ISO (51,200)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography details
67
long zoom range (25-400mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (1")
provides tracking focus
doesn't have phase detect AF
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ1000
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
65
good MP (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (400mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proof
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly display
terrible battery power (410 per charge)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
65
manual focus
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
decent sensor size (1")
supports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ1000 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging advice
66
decently wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone port
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
71
selfie friendly display
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Panasonic FZ1000 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ1000 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ1000 Pentax K-S2
Class Large Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2014-06-12 2015-02-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW support
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-400mm (16.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-4.0 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fully Articulated Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 921 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,359 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.7x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 12.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.50 m (at Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 3840x2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p) 1280x720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 831 gr (1.83 lbs) 678 gr (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 137 x 99 x 131mm (5.4" x 3.9" x 5.2") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 64 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 22.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.7 not tested
DXO Low light rating 517 not tested
Other
Battery life 360 photographs 410 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID DMW-BLC12PP D-LI109
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage - SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $800 $581