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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Launched January 2013
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
  • Released November 2013
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a complete analysis of the Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the XS1 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very comparable but the XS1 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The XS1 was unveiled 10 months prior to the K-500 so they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a thorough comparison, here is a brief summary of how the XS1 scores versus the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Pentax K-500

 XS1 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic XS1

 K-500 XS1 
ReleasedNovember 2013January 2013Fresher by 10 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-500

 XS1 K-500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic XS1 offers exterior measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") accompanied by a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check the Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is a front view scale comparison of the XS1 vs the K-500.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XS1 and K-500 is 97 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the gap in sensor sizing merely by checking out specifications. The photograph underneath should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the XS1 and K-500.

Plainly, both cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor sizing. The XS1 includes the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult. The older XS1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography features
30
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography details
Pentax K-500 Street photography details
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
above average high ISO (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Sports photography info
Pentax K-500 Sports photography info
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
slow fps (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
great battery power (710 CIPA)
comes with phase detect AF
slow fps (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (103g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
great battery power (710 per charge)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography features
39
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (710 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (103 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic socket
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Pentax K-500
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Pentax K-500
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-01-07 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD 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
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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 None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103 grams (0.23 lb) 646 grams (1.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 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 260 photos 710 photos
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $130 $600