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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
67
Imaging
45
Features
35
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Launched January 2014
  • Previous Model is Panasonic LZ30
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the LZ40 (20MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is relatively similar but the LZ40 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The LZ40 was released 13 months before the K-S2 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic LZ40 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief overview of how the LZ40 matches up versus the K-S2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic LZ40 over the Pentax K-S2

 LZ40 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic LZ40

 K-S2 LZ40 
RevealedFebruary 2015January 2014Newer by 13 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-S2

 LZ40 K-S2 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic LZ40 offers physical dimensions of 126mm x 87mm x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") and a weight of 524 grams (1.16 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the LZ40 against the K-S2.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the LZ40 and K-S2 is 67 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's hard to visualize the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The picture below will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the LZ40 and K-S2.

As you can tell, each of these cameras enjoy the same exact megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The LZ40 includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving bokeh more challenging. The more aged LZ40 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography info
40
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
provides face detect focus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
78
you can focus manually
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic LZ40
Street photography with Pentax K-S2
45
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than average in class (524g)
72
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography details
47
great zoom range (22-924mm 42.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
55
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (22mm)
long reach (924mm)
no Time Lapse mode
heavier than average in class (524g)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
65
weather proofing
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography info
44
rather wide (22mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic LZ40 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging factors
27
rather wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focus
has mic support
slow maximum aperture (f3.0)
screen is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
heavier than average in class (524 grams)
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Panasonic LZ40 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic LZ40 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-LZ40 Pentax K-S2
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2014-01-06 2015-02-10
Physical type SLR-like (bridge) Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5152 x 3864 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 22-924mm (42.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.0-6.5 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1500 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 524 gr (1.16 pounds) 678 gr (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 126 x 87 x 94mm (5.0" x 3.4" x 3.7") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
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 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail price $219 $581