Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5

Let's look much closer at the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax K-5, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-5 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor size.

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The ZS1 was released 19 months before the K-5 making the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS1 scores versus the K-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 & Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS1 Gallery & Pentax K-5 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS1 provides exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax K-5 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS1 compared to the K-5.

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and K-5 is 91 and 60 respectively.

Generally, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by viewing a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and K-5.

Clearly, both cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-5 will render greater detail as a result of its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.