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Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
63
Imaging
40
Features
53
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic FZ70
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 20-1200mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 606g - 130 x 97 x 118mm
  • Released July 2013
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
  • Revealed November 2013
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Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Below, we are looking at the Panasonic FZ70 versus Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FZ70 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is fairly similar but the FZ70 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The FZ70 was launched 4 months earlier than the K-500 so they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FZ70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a brief overview of how the FZ70 scores against the K-500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ70 over the Pentax K-500

 FZ70 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic FZ70

 K-500 FZ70 
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FZ70 and Pentax K-500

 FZ70 K-500 
RevealedJuly 2013November 2013Similar generation
Focus manually More precise focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FZ70 provides outside measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6") and a weight of 606 grams (1.34 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FZ70 versus Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FZ70 versus the K-500.

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FZ70 and K-500 is 63 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to picture the gap between sensor dimensions purely by reading a spec sheet. The image below may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FZ70 and K-500.

As you can see, the two cameras have got the exact same MP but different sensor dimensions. The FZ70 includes the tinier sensor which will make obtaining bokeh more difficult.

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FZ70 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
56
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
74
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FZ70 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
49
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
more heavy than competitors (606g)
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FZ70 Sports photography details
Pentax K-500 Sports photography details
55
incredible zoom range (20-1200mm 60.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
features tracking focus
better than average battery pack (400 shots)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
better than average battery life (710 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FZ70 Travel photography information
Pentax K-500 Travel photography information
55
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (20mm)
long zoom (1200mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors (606 grams)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
67
better than average battery life (710 per charge)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FZ70 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography information
54
you can focus manually
decently wide (20mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (400 per charge)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have Timelapse mode
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FZ70 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-500 Vlogging advice
26
decently wide (20mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than competitors (606 grams)
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic jack
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Panasonic FZ70 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FZ70 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70Pentax K-500
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ70 Pentax K-500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-07-18 2013-11-27
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 3200 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 20-1200mm (60.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Screen LCD Display TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 202 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 13.50 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (50i/60i, 25p/30p), 1280 x 720p (50p/60p or 25p/30p), 640 x 480 (25p/30p) 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 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 606 grams (1.34 pounds) 646 grams (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 130 x 97 x 118mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 4.6") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 41 79
DXO Color Depth rating 19.4 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.8 13.1
DXO Low light rating 171 1087
Other
Battery life 400 shots 710 shots
Battery format Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $300 $600