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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise 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-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-5 II, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively close but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ5 was announced 10 months prior to the K-5 II and they are both of a similar age. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a in depth comparison, below is a concise view of how the SZ5 scores against the K-5 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-5 II

 SZ5 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-5 II SZ5 
RevealedJune 2013July 2012Fresher by 10 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-5 II

 SZ5 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ5 enjoys external measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-5 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the SZ5 against the K-5 II.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

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

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor sizing only by viewing a spec sheet. The photograph here should provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and K-5 II.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ5 with its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-5 II will render extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older SZ5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
34
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 II Street photography features
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography information
70
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
weather proofing
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography factors
42
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
32
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (136g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-5 II
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2012-07-18 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
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 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 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
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) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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 speed 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
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 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 250 photos 980 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $195 $830