Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is relatively close but the SZ7 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The SZ7 was launched 17 months prior to the K-5 IIs which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ7 matches up versus the K-5 IIs for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 and Pentax K-5 IIs. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic SZ7 Gallery and Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.

If you are going to lug around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ7 has got outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 against the K-5 IIs.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and K-5 IIs is 95 and 60 respectively.

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements merely by looking through technical specs. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ7 and K-5 IIs.

As you have seen, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ7 because of its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-5 IIs will render more detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a bit more aggressively. The older SZ7 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.