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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Here is a detailed overview of the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 IIs, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is relatively well matched but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The SZ8 was unveiled 8 months later than the K-5 IIs and they are both of a similar age. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ8 grades vs the K-5 IIs in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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

 SZ8 K-5 IIs 
ReleasedJanuary 2014June 2013Fresher by 8 months

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

 K-5 IIs SZ8 
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

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

 SZ8 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has got outer measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 IIs in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 vs the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

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

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

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by checking a spec sheet. The visual below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and K-5 IIs.

Clearly, both of the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit different sensor sizing. The SZ8 contains the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower depth of field harder. The fresher SZ8 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography features
35
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
offers face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
manual focus
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography information
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (200 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography info
67
lighter than competition (159g)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
bad battery (200 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
weather proofing
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
42
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
supports RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging advice
32
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (159g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone support
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-5 IIs
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-01-06 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
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 aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 760 gr (1.68 lb)
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 score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 980 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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
Retail price $275 $749