Clicky

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 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
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Released January 2010
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-5
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Here is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is very well matched but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The ZR3 was announced 4 years prior to the K-5 IIs and that is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a complete comparison, here is a concise summation of how the ZR3 grades versus the K-5 IIs in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
	
	

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

 ZR3 K-5 IIs 

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

 K-5 IIs ZR3 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2010Fresher by 40 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

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

 ZR3 K-5 IIs 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZR3 features outside measurements 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 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR3 and the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZR3 and K-5 IIs is 94 and 60 respectively.

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

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through technical specs. The photograph here might give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZR3 and K-5 IIs.

As you can tell, both the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZR3 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-5 IIs will give more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics way more aggressively. The older ZR3 is going to be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Portrait photography camera
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
manual focus
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
fixed screen
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography details
36
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
no Timelapse recording
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
decent megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
37
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Timelapse recording
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZR3
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 IIs
29
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax K-5 IIs
Alternate name Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-01-26 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1300s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 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 distance 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite 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 Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Physical 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 Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1208
Other
Battery life - 980 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $280 $749