Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the ZR1 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZR1 was revealed 5 years earlier than the K-50 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZR1 grades versus the K-50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 & Pentax K-50. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZR1 Gallery & Pentax K-50 Gallery.

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZR1 features outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the ZR1 vs the K-50.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and K-50 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Sometimes, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by checking technical specs. The visual underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZR1 and K-50.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZR1 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-50 will resolve more detail because of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos far more aggressively. The older ZR1 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.