Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-1

Here is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the LZ40 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The LZ40 was released 3 years earlier than the K-1 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the LZ40 scores vs the K-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 and Pentax K-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic LZ40 Gallery and Pentax K-1 Gallery.

For those who are going to carry your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LZ40 provides external measurements of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") and a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the LZ40 versus the K-1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the LZ40 and K-1 is 67 and 55 respectively.

More often than not, it's tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizing purely by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the LZ40 and K-1.

Clearly, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The LZ40 due to its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-1 will result in extra detail as a result of its extra 16 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older LZ40 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.