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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Introduced July 2015
  • Previous Model is Panasonic FZ200
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Below is a thorough assessment of the Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the sensor resolutions of the FZ300 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the FZ300 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.

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The FZ300 was released 2 years later than the K-5 II and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short highlight of how the FZ300 grades versus the K-5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Pentax K-5 II

 FZ300 K-5 II 
RevealedJuly 2015June 2013More recent by 26 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k921kCrisper screen (+119k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic FZ300

 K-5 II FZ300 

Common features in the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-5 II

 FZ300 K-5 II 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurements

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For those who are going to lug around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FZ300 has got exterior measurements of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") accompanied by a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is a front view scale comparison of the FZ300 and the K-5 II.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FZ300 and K-5 II is 59 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The graphic below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ300 and K-5 II.

Plainly, both cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FZ300 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-5 II will produce extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots way more aggressively. The fresher FZ300 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ300
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 II
46
you can focus manually
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 II Street photography features
59
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
features focus via touch
weather proof
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than competition in class (691g)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography details
51
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
great battery pack (380 shots)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography features
59
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
weather proof
features focus via touch
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (600mm)
more heavy than competition in class (691g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proof
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
does not have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ300 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
52
you can focus manually
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
weather proof
great battery pack (380 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FZ300
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
62
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is selfie friendly
touchscreen enabled
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
comes with microphone support
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than competition in class (691g)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone port
does not have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 Pentax K-5 II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-07-16 2013-06-04
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fully Articulated Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,440k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/16000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 12.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.80 m (at Auto ISO) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 691 grams (1.52 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
Physical dimensions 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") 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 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 380 images 980 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $598 $830