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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the K-5 II (16MP) is relatively similar but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZR3 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the K-5 II which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ZR3 scores against the K-5 II in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax K-5 II

 ZR3 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic ZR3

 K-5 II ZR3 
RevealedJune 2013January 2010Newer by 40 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-5 II

 ZR3 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lacking Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZR3 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 II has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the ZR3 vs the K-5 II.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and K-5 II is 94 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The pic here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR3 and K-5 II.

All in all, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZR3 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 II will deliver extra detail due to its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged ZR3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography information
28
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZR3
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
56
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography factors
36
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
64
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (25mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
37
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 II
29
rather wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax K-5 II
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-01-26 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $280 $830