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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 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
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax K-50

 ZR1 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic ZR1

 K-50 ZR1 
IntroducedNovember 2013July 2009More recent by 52 months
Focus manually Dial precise focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-50

 ZR1 K-50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

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

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

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.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (51,600)
fixed screen
more heavy than average (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
max fps very slow (6.0 frames/s)
terrible battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Travel photography camera
57
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery pack (410 CIPA)
more heavy than average (650g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
32
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
74
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery pack (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
28
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have microphone socket
more heavy than average (650 grams)
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax K-50
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax K-50
Also called as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-07-27 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
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) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone 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 158g (0.35 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $280 $610