Panasonic FZ60 vs Pentax K-500

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic FZ60 versus Pentax K-500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FZ60 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the FZ60 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FZ60 was released 16 months earlier than the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FZ60 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a full comparison, below is a simple overview of how the FZ60 grades versus the K-500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ60 & Pentax K-500. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic FZ60 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FZ60 has external dimensions of 120mm x 81mm x 92mm (4.7" x 3.2" x 3.6") accompanied by a weight of 493 grams (1.09 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FZ60 versus Pentax K-500 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the FZ60 vs the K-500.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FZ60 and K-500 is 68 and 64 respectively.

Quite often, it can be hard to visualise the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FZ60 and K-500.

All in all, each of these cameras offer the same exact megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The FZ60 offers the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow depth of field tougher. The more aged FZ60 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.