Clicky

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase 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 Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Previous Model is Pentax Q
  • Replacement is Pentax Q7
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

The following is a in-depth review of the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax Q10, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ5 (14MP) and the Q10 (12MP) is pretty comparable and they come with the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The SZ5 was manufactured very close to the Q10 and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving through a in-depth comparison, below is a short highlight of how the SZ5 grades against the Q10 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax Q10

 SZ5 Q10 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Panasonic SZ5

 Q10 SZ5 
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax Q10

 SZ5 Q10 
AnnouncedJuly 2012September 2012Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to travel with your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ5 provides outside 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 Q10 has measurements of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax Q10 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ5 against the Q10.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ5 and Q10 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to envision the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out technical specs. The pic underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ5 and Q10.

As you can tell, both of the cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You can expect the Panasonic SZ5 to show more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop photographs far more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography details
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
48
focusing manually
flash sync speed is above average (1/2,000s)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Street photography camera
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (136 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (200g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography highlights
Pentax Q10 Sports photography highlights
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
36
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (270 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ5
Travel photography with Pentax Q10
70
lighter than competition (136g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competition in class (200 grams)
built-in flash
low battery (270 per charge)
low megapixels (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography features
Pentax Q10 Landscape photography features
42
fairly wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse function
54
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
low battery (270 CIPA)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax Q10 as a Vlogging camera
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition (136g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
35
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (200g)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have microphone support
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax Q10
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax Q10
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax Q10
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-07-18 2012-09-10
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 460k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT Screen LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 7.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
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 grams (0.30 pounds) 200 grams (0.44 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 183
Other
Battery life 250 photos 270 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $195 $350