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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Bump to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZR1 versus Pentax K-x, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZR1 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is very close but the ZR1 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The ZR1 was launched 4 months earlier than the K-x and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZR1 grades vs the K-x in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax K-x

 ZR1 K-x 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic ZR1

 K-x ZR1 
Manually focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-x

 ZR1 K-x 
ReleasedJuly 2009December 2009Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR1 offers exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") along with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZR1 versus Pentax K-x in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the ZR1 compared to the K-x.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZR1 and K-x is 94 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes simply by looking through specs. The image here should give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR1 and K-x.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras feature the identical resolution but different sensor sizes. The ZR1 has got the smaller sensor which will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR1
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
21
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Street photography details
Pentax K-x Street photography details
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZR1
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
57
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
low resolution (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-x Landscape photography information
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not available
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse recording
61
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
low MP (12 megapixels)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR1
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
28
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect autofocus
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax K-x
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax K-x
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-07-27 2009-12-23
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine V Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
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 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.10 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 grams (0.35 pounds) 580 grams (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 pictures
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $280 $600