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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand 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 KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2017
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP Overview

Below is a comprehensive assessment of the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax KP, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and KP (24MP) and the SZ5 (1/2.3") and KP (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The SZ5 was brought out 5 years before the KP and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ5 grades vs the KP with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax KP

 SZ5 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Panasonic SZ5

 KP SZ5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017July 2012More recent by 55 months
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax KP

 SZ5 KP 
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 comes with external dimensions 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 KP has measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax KP in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have at the time. Here is the front view size comparison of the SZ5 compared to the KP.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and KP is 95 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualize the gap in sensor measurements simply by viewing specifications. The visual below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ5 and KP.

To sum up, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ5 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax KP will provide you with more detail having its extra 10MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The older SZ5 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax KP as a Portrait photography camera
34
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
80
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax KP as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136g)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
76
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
very good ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ5
Sports photography with Pentax KP
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
silent shutter (1/24,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
bad battery (390 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax KP
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery (390 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax KP as a Landscape photography camera
42
rather wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
very good ISO range (819,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
bad battery (390 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax KP Vlogging highlights
32
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (136g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic socket
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax KP
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax KP
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax KP
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-07-18 2017-01-26
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 819200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Maximum silent shutter speed - 1/24000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (60i, 30p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
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 grams (0.30 lb) 703 grams (1.55 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots 390 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $195 $747