Panasonic FZ300 vs Pentax K-500

Its time to take a more detailed look at the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the FZ300 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the FZ300 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The FZ300 was revealed 20 months after the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FZ300 scores against the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 and Pentax K-500. The full galleries are available at Panasonic FZ300 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.

If you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ300 offers physical dimensions of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") along with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

See the Panasonic FZ300 and Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the FZ300 vs the K-500.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ300 and K-500 is 59 and 64 respectively.

In many cases, its tough to visualize the difference between sensor dimensions merely by reading technical specs. The image here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ300 and K-500.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FZ300 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-500 will deliver extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger FZ300 provides a benefit in sensor technology.