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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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 K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced December 2006
  • Successor is Pentax K100D S
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K100D, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and K100D (6MP) and the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) possess different sensor sizes.

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The SZ5 was unveiled 5 years later than the K100D and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a in depth comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ5 matches up vs the K100D with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K100D

 SZ5 K100D 
AnnouncedJuly 2012December 2006Fresher by 69 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k210kClearer screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Panasonic SZ5

 K100D SZ5 
Focus manually Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K100D

 SZ5 K100D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ5 provides physical measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) while the Pentax K100D has specifications of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax K100D 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 choose at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ5 compared to the K100D.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and K100D is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Usually, it can be tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The graphic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and K100D.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ5 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic SZ5 will resolve more detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more recent SZ5 provides an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography information
Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
34
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
features face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
51
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography information
Pentax K100D Street photography information
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no articulating screen
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Pentax K100D
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
features tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 fps)
low resolution (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K100D Travel photography highlights
70
lighter than competition (136 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
42
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than competition in class (660g)
low resolution (6 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K100D Landscape photography factors
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse function
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
low resolution (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging advice
Pentax K100D Vlogging advice
32
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition (136 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone socket
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K100D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K100D
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K100D
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-07-18 2006-12-03
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 2.5"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format MPEG-4 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 660 gr (1.46 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photographs -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 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/MMC card
Card slots One One
Retail cost $195 $0