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Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
72
Imaging
35
Features
37
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ35
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 27-486mm (F2.8-4.4) lens
  • 397g - 118 x 76 x 89mm
  • Revealed July 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FZ38
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
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Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic FZ35 versus Pentax K-500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the FZ35 (12MP) and K-500 (16MP) and the FZ35 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The FZ35 was launched 4 years before the K-500 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ35 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the FZ35 matches up versus the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ35 over the Pentax K-500

 FZ35 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic FZ35

 K-500 FZ35 
LaunchedNovember 2013July 2010More recent by 41 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ35 and Pentax K-500

 FZ35 K-500 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ35 features external measurements of 118mm x 76mm x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") and a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FZ35 versus Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the FZ35 against the K-500.

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FZ35 and K-500 is 72 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ35 and K-500.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FZ35 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-500 will render greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop pics far more aggressively. The older FZ35 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FZ35
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
41
manual focus
supports face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ35 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ35 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
34
excellent zoom range (27-486mm 18.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery (710 per charge)
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ35 Travel photography information
Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
52
flash built-in
decently wide (27mm)
very long reach (486mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
67
good battery (710 per charge)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ35 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography information
41
manual focus
decently wide (27mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have Timelapse recording
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
good battery (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ35 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
26
decently wide (27mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic FZ35 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ35 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 Pentax K-500
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FZ38 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2010-07-06 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 27-486mm (18.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-4.4 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.50 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite, Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 pounds) 646 grams (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 118 x 76 x 89mm (4.6" x 3.0" x 3.5") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1087
Other
Battery life - 710 photographs
Style of battery - AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $999 $600