Panasonic FZ150 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic FZ150 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the FZ150 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the FZ150 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The FZ150 was manufactured 13 months earlier than the K-5 IIs making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ150 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the FZ150 scores vs the K-5 IIs with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

The following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 and Pentax K-5 IIs. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic FZ150 Gallery and Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.

In case you're planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ150 has got outside measurements of 124mm x 82mm x 92mm (4.9" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 528 grams (1.16 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FZ150 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the FZ150 against the K-5 IIs.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ150 and K-5 IIs is 67 and 60 respectively.

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the difference in sensor measurements purely by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the FZ150 and K-5 IIs.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FZ150 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-5 IIs will result in greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older FZ150 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.