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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic LZ40
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 22-924mm (F3.0-6.5) lens
  • 524g - 126 x 87 x 94mm
  • Introduced January 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ30
Pentax K-50
(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
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Its time to examine more in depth at the Panasonic LZ40 versus Pentax K-50, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the image resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the LZ40 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The LZ40 was announced 2 months later than the K-50 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a short overview of how the LZ40 matches up versus the K-50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Pentax K-50

 LZ40 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic LZ40

 K-50 LZ40 
Manually focus More precise focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-50

 LZ40 K-50 
AnnouncedJanuary 2014November 2013Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic LZ40 provides external dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") and a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic LZ40 versus Pentax K-50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the LZ40 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LZ40 and K-50 is 67 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizing just by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph underneath might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the LZ40 and K-50.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The LZ40 having a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic LZ40 will produce more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos a little more aggressively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic LZ40
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
40
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
includes face detect focusing
no manual focus
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Street photography information
Pentax K-50 Street photography information
45
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competitors (524g)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than others (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-50 Sports photography factors
47
excellent zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
67
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Travel photography info
Pentax K-50 Travel photography info
55
megapixel count good (20MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (22mm)
long reach (924mm)
does not have Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (524g)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
56
environment sealing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (410 shots)
heavier than others (650g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography highlights
44
fairly wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (20MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
74
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging info
Pentax K-50 Vlogging info
27
fairly wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
does have microphone port
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
more heavy than competitors (524g)
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
no mic socket
heavier than others (650g)
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Pentax K-50
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-06 2013-11-27
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5152 x 3864 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 51600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 22-924mm (42.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.0-6.5 -
Macro focus distance 1cm -
Total 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 dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 10.80 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 524 gr (1.16 pounds) 650 gr (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 320 shots 410 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $219 $610