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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • 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 X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ10 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively close and both cameras provide the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ10 was manufactured 2 years after the X-5 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go right into a full comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the SZ10 grades vs the X-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax X-5

 SZ10 X-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015August 2012Newer by 29 months

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Panasonic SZ10

 X-5 SZ10 
Manually focus More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax X-5

 SZ10 X-5 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ10 features external 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 X-5 has proportions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") having a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax X-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ10 vs the X-5.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ10 and X-5 is 93 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be difficult to envision the difference in sensor dimensions merely by viewing a spec sheet. The image here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ10 and X-5.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same resolution and you can expect comparable quality of photos however you need to factor the age of the cameras into account. The younger SZ10 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ10
Portrait photography with Pentax X-5
35
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
43
manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Street photography factors
Pentax X-5 Street photography factors
70
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (177g)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competition (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Sports photography information
Pentax X-5 Sports photography information
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
slow fps (1.4 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (200 per charge)
lacks phase detect autofocus
52
amazing zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Travel photography features
Pentax X-5 Travel photography features
67
lighter than competition (177g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition (595g)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography features
Pentax X-5 Landscape photography features
41
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
terrible battery pack (200 shots)
lack of Time Lapse function
47
manual focus
quite wide (22mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (16MP)
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Vlogging info
Pentax X-5 Vlogging info
32
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (177g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic jack
26
quite wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
missing microphone port
more heavy than competition (595g)
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax X-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax X-5
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2015-01-06 2012-08-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.4 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 9.10 m
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off -
External flash
AEB
White balance 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 177 gr (0.39 lb) 595 gr (1.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 330 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $200 $230