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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Launched January 2014
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) offer totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ8 was brought out 8 months later than the K-5 II and they are both of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ8 scores vs the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-5 II

 SZ8 K-5 II 
RevealedJanuary 2014June 2013Fresher by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-5 II SZ8 
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 II

 SZ8 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to carry your camera often, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ8 vs the K-5 II.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and K-5 II is 94 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by going through specs. The visual here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and K-5 II.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The SZ8 comes with the smaller sensor which will make achieving bokeh tougher. The more modern SZ8 will have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography features
35
MP count decent (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography details
Pentax K-5 II Street photography details
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (159g)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography information
67
lighter than others (159g)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
weather proof
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography features
42
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proof
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
32
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than others (159g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have mic port
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-5 II
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-01-06 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 200 images 980 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch pricing $275 $830