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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Released January 2015
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-5 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ10 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively close but the SZ10 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The SZ10 was released 20 months later than the K-5 II which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the SZ10 scores against the K-5 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax K-5 II

 SZ10 K-5 II 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015June 2013Fresher by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic SZ10

 K-5 II SZ10 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-5 II

 SZ10 K-5 II 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ10 has got physical measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ10 vs the K-5 II.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ10 and K-5 II is 93 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The graphic here will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ10 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The SZ10 uses the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF trickier. The more recent SZ10 provides an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
70
has a tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (177g)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography highlights
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
max frames per second very slow (1.4 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery life (200 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than average (177 grams)
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
environment proofing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography factors
41
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery life (200 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging advice
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average (177g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax K-5 II
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2015-01-06 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.4fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In 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 177 grams (0.39 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 200 photos 980 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $200 $830