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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic TS4
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 197g - 103 x 64 x 27mm
  • Released January 2012
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FT4
  • Succeeded the Panasonic TS3
  • Updated by Panasonic TS5
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Boost to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Announced March 2011
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-r, former being a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the TS4 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is pretty comparable but the TS4 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The TS4 was introduced 11 months later than the K-r so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic TS4 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise overview of how the TS4 matches up versus the K-r when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic TS4 over the Pentax K-r

 TS4 K-r 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012March 2011Fresher by 11 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic TS4

 K-r TS4 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-r

 TS4 K-r 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic TS4 offers external measurements of 103mm x 64mm x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") along with a weight of 197 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has measurements of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-r in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the TS4 compared to the K-r.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the TS4 and K-r is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor sizing simply by checking out specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the TS4 and K-r.

All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TS4 comes with the smaller sensor which should make getting shallower depth of field tougher. The more modern TS4 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
63
focusing manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Sports photography details
Pentax K-r Sports photography details
38
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (310 per charge)
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second low (4.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
low battery (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Travel photography features
Pentax K-r Travel photography features
66
better than average battery pack (310 shots)
environment proofing
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
47
has built in flash
low battery (470 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic TS4 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-r Landscape photography features
41
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
environment proofing
better than average battery pack (310 per charge)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12MP)
low battery (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic TS4 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
32
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
does not have external microphone jack
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focus
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic socket
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Panasonic TS4 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic TS4 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Pentax K-r
Also called Lumix DMC-FT4 -
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-01-31 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
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 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 4.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 197 gr (0.43 lbs) 598 gr (1.32 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 64 x 27mm (4.1" x 2.5" x 1.1") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 310 pictures 470 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $399 $1,100