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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Revealed July 2012
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

In this article, we will be comparing the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-S1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap among the image resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ5 was introduced 3 years prior to the K-S1 which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SZ5 scores versus the K-S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-S1

 SZ5 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-S1 SZ5 
LaunchedAugust 2014July 2012More modern by 25 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-S1

 SZ5 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ5 has got physical measurements 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-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SZ5 and the K-S1.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and K-S1 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by checking out technical specs. The image underneath should give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and K-S1.

As you can tell, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ5 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will provide more detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ5 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
77
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ5
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (558g)
good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography info
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography info
40
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
sensor has phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competitors in class (136g)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than others (558g)
sensor resolution is decent (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
terrible battery (410 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
73
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging advice
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others (558 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-07-18 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 558 grams (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 250 photos 410 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $195 $339