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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Launched January 2015
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ10 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ10 (16MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is pretty similar but the SZ10 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the SZ10 matches up versus the K-5 IIs in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 SZ10 K-5 IIs 
RevealedJanuary 2015June 2013Fresher by 20 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

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

 K-5 IIs SZ10 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

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

 SZ10 K-5 IIs 
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ10 features outside dimensions 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 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ10 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ10 against the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ10 and K-5 IIs is 93 and 60 respectively.

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

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing just by reviewing specs. The visual underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ10 and K-5 IIs.

All in all, each of the cameras posses the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor sizing. The SZ10 has got the tinier sensor which will make obtaining bokeh tougher. The newer SZ10 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ10
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (177 grams)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.4 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 per charge)
does not have phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proof
has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than competitors in class (177g)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (200 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
environment proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography features
41
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
bad battery life (200 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
delivers RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competitors in class (177g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax K-5 IIs
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-01-06 2013-06-04
Physical type 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 aliasing 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 data
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
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 mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.4 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 177 gr (0.39 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
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 score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 200 images 980 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $200 $749