Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5

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.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Pentax K-5. The full galleries are available at Panasonic SZ5 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.