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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r Key Specs

Panasonic ZR1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 158g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Launched July 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-r, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is fairly well matched but the ZR1 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The ZR1 was brought out 19 months before the K-r making them a generation away from one another. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a thorough comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZR1 scores versus the K-r with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax K-r

 ZR1 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZR1

 K-r ZR1 
LaunchedMarch 2011July 2009Newer by 19 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-r

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

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

When you are going to travel with your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 features outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-r in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the ZR1 and the K-r.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and K-r is 94 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very tough to envision the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at specifications. The image here will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and K-r.

To sum up, both of the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor dimensions. The ZR1 contains the tinier sensor which should make achieving shallower DOF harder. The more aged ZR1 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-r Portrait photography details
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
has manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-r Sports photography highlights
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
55
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
low resolution (12MP)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-r Travel photography highlights
57
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
no Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
low battery life (470 per charge)
low resolution (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZR1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-r
32
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
65
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
low resolution (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-r Vlogging advice
28
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic jack
26
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax K-r
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-07-27 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest 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
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lb) 598 gr (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $280 $1,100