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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
68
Imaging
37
Features
40
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic FZ40
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8-5.2) lens
  • 494g - 120 x 80 x 92mm
  • Launched July 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FZ45
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-5 IIs, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FZ40 (14MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is very well matched but the FZ40 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The FZ40 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the K-5 IIs which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a in-depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FZ40 grades versus the K-5 IIs in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ40 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 FZ40 K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic FZ40

 K-5 IIs FZ40 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2010More modern by 34 months
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 FZ40 K-5 IIs 
Focus manually More precise focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry around your camera often, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FZ40 enjoys outside dimensions of 120mm x 80mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") with a weight of 494 grams (1.09 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-5 IIs in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FZ40 against the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ40 and K-5 IIs is 68 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes only by looking at technical specs. The picture below should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FZ40 and K-5 IIs.

As you have seen, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FZ40 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-5 IIs will resolve greater detail having an extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FZ40 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography advice
46
manual focus
decent megapixels (14MP)
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Street photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography advice
51
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FZ40
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
43
excellent zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FZ40
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
54
decent megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (600mm)
no Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather sealing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FZ40
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
51
manual focus
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
delivers RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no Timelapse mode
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ40 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging information
23
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
more heavy than others in class (494 grams)
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic socket
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FZ40 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ40 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ40 Pentax K-5 IIs
Also called Lumix DMC-FZ45 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-07-21 2013-06-04
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-600mm (24.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.2 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 9.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 494 gr (1.09 pounds) 760 gr (1.68 pounds)
Dimensions 120 x 80 x 92mm (4.7" x 3.1" x 3.6") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1208
Other
Battery life - 980 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 10 sec (3 pictures)) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $420 $749