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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Released August 2012
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Here, we will be contrasting the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the X-5 (16MP) is relatively similar and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was manufactured 17 months after the X-5 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the SZ8 grades vs the X-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax X-5

 SZ8 X-5 
ReleasedJanuary 2014August 2012Newer by 17 months

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Panasonic SZ8

 X-5 SZ8 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax X-5

 SZ8 X-5 
Screen size3"3"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution460k460kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 features outer dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") accompanied by a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax X-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at that time. The following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 compared to the X-5.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and X-5 is 94 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very difficult to see the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading specifications. The image below should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and X-5.

To sum up, both of these cameras feature the identical sensor size and the identical megapixels so you should expect similar quality of pictures however you should really consider the production date of the products into consideration. The more recent SZ8 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography details
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography details
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
43
you can focus manually
decent MP (16MP)
has face detect autofocus
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Pentax X-5
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (159g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
50
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
more heavy than average (595g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography info
Pentax X-5 Sports photography info
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
52
excellent zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking focus
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
67
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
bad battery life (200 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (22mm)
very long zoom (580mm)
no Timelapse recording
more heavy than average (595 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax X-5
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
bad battery life (200 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
47
you can focus manually
really wide (22mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic support
26
really wide (22mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
more heavy than average (595g)
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax X-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax X-5
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2014-01-06 2012-08-22
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
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 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focus range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230 thousand dots
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 9.10 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 595 gr (1.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 shots 330 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $275 $230