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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump 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
  • Revealed June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

The following is a extensive overview of the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The ZS1 was revealed 5 years before the K-5 IIs which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the ZS1 grades versus the K-5 IIs for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 ZS1 K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic ZS1

 K-5 IIs ZS1 
RevealedJune 2013May 2009Newer by 49 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 ZS1 K-5 IIs 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to travel with your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS1 enjoys outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view scale comparison of the ZS1 and the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The image here may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and K-5 IIs.

All in all, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-5 IIs will provide more detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography details
25
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography features
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
has no phase detect AF
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography details
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
no Timelapse function
low resolution (10 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
environment sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not offer selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography features
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
low resolution (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse function
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging details
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone socket
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax K-5 IIs
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-05-14 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229g (0.50 lbs) 760g (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 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 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $0 $749