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Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
93
Imaging
36
Features
29
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic TS2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 188g - 99 x 63 x 24mm
  • Announced January 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-FT2
  • Succeeded the Panasonic TS1
  • Renewed by Panasonic TS3
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
Photography Glossary

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Panasonic TS2 versus Pentax K-500, one is a Waterproof and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the TS2 (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is fairly comparable but the TS2 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor dimensions.

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The TS2 was introduced 4 years earlier than the K-500 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS2 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple view of how the TS2 matches up against the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic TS2 over the Pentax K-500

 TS2 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic TS2

 K-500 TS2 
IntroducedNovember 2013January 2010More modern by 46 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS2 and Pentax K-500

 TS2 K-500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic TS2 offers physical dimensions of 99mm x 63mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 188 grams (0.41 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic TS2 versus Pentax K-500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the TS2 vs the K-500.

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the TS2 and K-500 is 93 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizes only by seeing technical specs. The image below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the TS2 and K-500.

As you have seen, both the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TS2 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-500 will produce greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged TS2 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS2 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography info
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS2 Street photography info
Pentax K-500 Street photography info
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic TS2
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proofing
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
great battery (710 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic TS2
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
67
environment proofing
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
great battery (710 shots)
good megapixels (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS2 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography details
40
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment proofing
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
great battery (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-500 Vlogging highlights
28
quite wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of microphone support
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Panasonic TS2 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS2 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 Pentax K-500
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FT2 -
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-26 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 188 grams (0.41 pounds) 646 grams (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 63 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.5" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life - 710 photos
Battery style - AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at launch $350 $600