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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Released July 2012
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Replaced the Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The SZ5 was revealed 20 months after the K-5 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ5 scores vs the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-5

 SZ5 K-5 
AnnouncedJuly 2012December 2010Newer by 20 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-5 SZ5 
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-5

 SZ5 K-5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurements
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera regularly, you're going to have to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 provides outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ5 compared to the K-5.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and K-5 is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualize the difference in sensor dimensions only by going through specs. The pic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and K-5.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ5 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-5 will produce extra detail because of its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots more aggressively. The fresher SZ5 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography info
34
good MP (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (136g)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14MP)
features tracking focus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax K-5
70
lighter than competitors (136g)
good MP (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
weather proof
megapixel count good (16MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
42
decently wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging info
Pentax K-5 Vlogging info
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-5
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-07-18 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - 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 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 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 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 980 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $195 $800