Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-5

The following is a extended assessment of the Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the XS1 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The XS1 was manufactured 2 years after the K-5 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the XS1 scores vs the K-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 and Pentax K-5. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic XS1 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic XS1 comes with outside dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") having a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

See the Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the XS1 compared to the K-5.

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and K-5 is 97 and 60 respectively.

More often than not, it is tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by going through specs. The image below will help give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the XS1 and K-5.

All in all, both of these cameras have got the exact same megapixel count albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The XS1 has the smaller sensor which is going to make getting bokeh more difficult. The newer XS1 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.