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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-S1 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The ZS1 was released 6 years before the K-S1 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise view of how the ZS1 matches up versus the K-S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS1 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS1

 K-S1 ZS1 
ReleasedAugust 2014May 2009Fresher by 64 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS1 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS1 has got outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you select at that moment. Here is the front view size comparison of the ZS1 against the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and K-S1 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing simply by reading technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS1 and K-S1.

As you can tell, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS1 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-S1 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older ZS1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography highlights
25
comes with face detect focusing
manual focus not available
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
78
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (229g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (558g)
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS1
Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect AF
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.4 fps)
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography features
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography features
63
lighter than average (229g)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
no Timelapse recording
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than others in class (558 grams)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
terrible battery life (410 per charge)
does not contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography information
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW files
no Timelapse recording
73
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
terrible battery life (410 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
lighter than average (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
no microphone jack
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others in class (558g)
does not contain selfie friendly display
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax K-S1
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-05-14 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 6.3 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 229g (0.50 lbs) 558g (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life - 410 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $339