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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 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
  • Introduced July 2012
Pentax RZ10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the RZ10 (14MP) is very close and both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ5 was announced 13 months later than the RZ10 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the SZ5 grades against the RZ10 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax RZ10

 SZ5 RZ10 
RevealedJuly 2012July 2011Fresher by 13 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Panasonic SZ5

 RZ10 SZ5 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax RZ10

 SZ5 RZ10 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera, you will want to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ5 has physical measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax RZ10 has proportions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ5 and the RZ10.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and RZ10 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing technical specs. The graphic here might give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and RZ10.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras feature the identical sensor size and the same MP and you can expect comparable quality of images but you need to consider the age of the cameras into account. The newer SZ5 will have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax RZ10 Portrait photography factors
34
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
comes with face detection focus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
35
you can focus manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ10 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proofing
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography information
Pentax RZ10 Sports photography information
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
slow fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery pack (178 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography features
Pentax RZ10 Travel photography features
70
lighter than average in class (136g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
66
weather proofing
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
long reach (280mm)
no Timelapse mode
terrible battery pack (178 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
Pentax RZ10 Landscape photography details
42
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
43
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
weather proofing
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
terrible battery pack (178 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Pentax RZ10
32
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
lighter than average in class (136 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone port
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax RZ10
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Optio RZ10
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Optio RZ10
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2012-07-18 2011-07-19
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-280mm (10.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.2-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Screen LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 136 gr (0.30 lb) 178 gr (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 images 178 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $195 $200