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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
94
Imaging
35
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D 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
  • Announced July 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched December 2006
  • Newer Model is Pentax K100D S
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D Overview

On this page, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZR1 versus Pentax K100D, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the ZR1 (12MP) and K100D (6MP) and the ZR1 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZR1 was released 2 years later than the K100D and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZR1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the ZR1 grades vs the K100D in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR1 over the Pentax K100D

 ZR1 K100D 
LaunchedJuly 2009December 2006More recent by 33 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Panasonic ZR1

 K100D ZR1 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K100D

 ZR1 K100D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR1 features external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 158 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax K100D has dimensions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZR1 versus Pentax K100D in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the ZR1 versus the K100D.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZR1 and K100D is 94 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reviewing specs. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZR1 and K100D.

All in all, both cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZR1 due to its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Panasonic ZR1 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots more aggressively. The more modern ZR1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K100D Portrait photography information
21
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
51
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
fixed screen
more heavy than average (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR1
Travel photography with Pentax K100D
57
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
42
has built in flash
missing Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (660 grams)
resolution not great (6MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K100D Landscape photography features
32
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
52
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
resolution not great (6MP)
missing Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K100D as a Vlogging camera
28
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic port
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic ZR1 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR1 and Pentax K100D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1Pentax K100D
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 Pentax K100D
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX1 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-07-27 2006-12-03
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.5"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.10 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 158 gr (0.35 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $280 $0