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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Launched July 2012
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Introduced May 2012
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-01, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ5 was brought out 2 months after the K-01 and they are of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the SZ5 scores against the K-01 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-01

 SZ5 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-01 SZ5 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-01

 SZ5 K-01 
IntroducedJuly 2012May 2012Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ5 enjoys external dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-01 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and K-01 is 95 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizes merely by going through specs. The pic here should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and K-01.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The SZ5 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-01 will provide greater detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
34
resolution is good (14MP)
features face detect focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
74
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
heavier than competitors in class (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Sports photography highlights
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
slow frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
70
lighter than others in class (136g)
resolution is good (14MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
good battery pack (540 shots)
decent MP (16MP)
built-in flash
heavier than competitors in class (561g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-01
42
decently wide (25mm)
good sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse recording
80
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (540 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging features
Pentax K-01 Vlogging features
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (561 grams)
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-01
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-07-18 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 pounds) 561 grams (1.24 pounds)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 250 shots 540 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $195 $899