Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-7

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the LZ40 (20MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the LZ40 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The LZ40 was brought out 4 years later than the K-7 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the LZ40 scores against the K-7 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 & Pentax K-7. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic LZ40 Gallery & Pentax K-7 Gallery.

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera, you'll have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic LZ40 provides physical dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") accompanied by a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

See the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-7 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the LZ40 vs the K-7.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the LZ40 and K-7 is 67 and 60 respectively.

Normally, it is tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The visual below will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ40 and K-7.

Clearly, the two cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The LZ40 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic LZ40 will render greater detail having its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics way more aggressively. The newer LZ40 is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.