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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Introduced July 2012
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Launched March 2009
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Overview

The following is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax P70, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the P70 (12MP) is very similar and they enjoy the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was announced 3 years after the P70 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going through a detailed comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the SZ5 grades against the P70 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax P70

 SZ5 P70 
LaunchedJuly 2012March 2009Newer by 42 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic SZ5

 P70 SZ5 
Manually focus Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax P70

 SZ5 P70 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For those who are going to travel with your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ5 has 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) while the Pentax P70 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ5 versus Pentax P70 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ5 versus the P70.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and P70 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ5 and P70.

As you have seen, both the cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements but not the same MP. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ5 to deliver extra detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The newer SZ5 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography details
Pentax P70 Portrait photography details
34
decent MP (14 megapixels)
supports face detection focus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
27
has manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography advice
Pentax P70 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
heavier than average (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Pentax P70 Travel photography features
70
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
decent MP (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
56
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
heavier than average (155 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ5
Landscape photography with Pentax P70
42
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Time Lapse function
32
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Vlogging factors
Pentax P70 Vlogging factors
32
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focus
lighter than competition in class (136 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic port
heavier than average (155g)
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio P70
Type Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Introduced 2012-07-18 2009-03-02
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Max native ISO 1600 6400
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AE 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) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 gr (0.30 pounds) 155 gr (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $195 $200