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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost 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-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-r, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively similar but the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ5 was released 17 months later than the K-r which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a simple view of how the SZ5 grades against the K-r in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-r

 SZ5 K-r 
LaunchedJuly 2012March 2011Fresher by 17 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-r SZ5 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-r

 SZ5 K-r 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ5 features exterior 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-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ5 and the K-r.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ5 and K-r is 95 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor sizing only by reading a spec sheet. The visual below will provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and K-r.

Clearly, both of those cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ5 because of its tinier sensor will make achieving bokeh trickier and the Panasonic SZ5 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The younger SZ5 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-r Portrait photography info
34
MP count decent (14MP)
has face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-r Street photography advice
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery power (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
70
lighter than average in class (136g)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
47
has built in flash
bad battery power (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-r Landscape photography advice
42
reasonably wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
65
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery power (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Pentax K-r
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic jack
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-r
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-r
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-07-18 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 25600
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lb) 598 gr (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life 250 images 470 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $195 $1,100