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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed July 2009
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Older Model is Pentax K-7
  • Successor is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the image resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the ZR1 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) use different sensor measurements.

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The ZR1 was announced 16 months earlier than the K-5 making the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the ZR1 matches up against the K-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax K-5

 ZR1 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic ZR1

 K-5 ZR1 
ReleasedDecember 2010July 2009Fresher by 16 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-5

 ZR1 K-5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you will need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR1 offers external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") having a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view sizing comparison of the ZR1 compared to the K-5.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the ZR1 and K-5 is 94 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the difference in sensor sizing just by looking through technical specs. The visual underneath may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR1 and K-5.

As you can tell, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZR1 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-5 will render extra detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos much more aggressively. The older ZR1 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography advice
21
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 Travel photography details
57
flash built-in
rather wide (25mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
32
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
78
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
28
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external mic support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax K-5
Also called Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-07-27 2010-12-18
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 158 grams (0.35 lbs) 740 grams (1.63 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $280 $800