Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500
95 Imaging
37 Features
34 Overall
35
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64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(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
- Launched July 2012
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Announced November 2013
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
Here is a in depth overview of the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-500, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) have totally different sensor measurements.
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The SZ5 was announced 16 months before the K-500 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ5 matches up against the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 and Pentax K-500. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic SZ5 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-500
SZ5 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic SZ5
K-500 | SZ5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | November 2013 | ![]() | July 2012 | Fresher by 16 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-500
SZ5 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen measurements |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither offers selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Neither offers Touch screen |
Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
In case you're intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ5 offers 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) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ5 and the K-500.
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Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and K-500 is 95 and 64 respectively.
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizing purely by checking technical specs. The visual underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and K-500.
As you have seen, both of the cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ5 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-500 will resolve more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older SZ5 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
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Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
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Street Comparison
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Sports Comparison
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Travel Comparison
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Landscape Comparison
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Vlogging Comparison
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 | Pentax K-500 |
Category | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2012-07-18 | 2013-11-27 |
Body design | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Chip | - | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 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 |
Highest resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4928 x 3264 |
Highest native ISO | 1600 | 51600 |
Highest boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
AF single | ||
AF tracking | ||
AF selectice | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
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) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/3.1-5.9 | - |
Macro focus range | 5cm | - |
Amount of lenses | - | 151 |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Range of display | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inches | 3 inches |
Display resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Display tech | TFT Screen LCD | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/1600 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shooting speed | 2.0 frames/s | 6.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash range | 5.60 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Maximum flash sync | - | 1/180 seconds |
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone 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 | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environmental seal | ||
Water proof | ||
Dust proof | ||
Shock proof | ||
Crush proof | ||
Freeze proof | ||
Weight | 136g (0.30 lbs) | 646g (1.42 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around score | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 13.1 |
DXO Low light score | not tested | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 photos | 710 photos |
Type of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery model | - | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 secs) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | Single | Single |
Price at launch | $195 | $600 |