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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Revealed February 2015
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-S2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-S2 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS1 was announced 6 years earlier than the K-S2 which is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the ZS1 scores against the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax K-S2

 ZS1 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic ZS1

 K-S2 ZS1 
RevealedFebruary 2015May 2009Newer by 69 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-S2

 ZS1 K-S2 
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS1 has got outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. The following is a front view size comparison of the ZS1 against the K-S2.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS1 and K-S2 is 91 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the difference between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The image underneath may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS1 and K-S2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-S2 will deliver greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged ZS1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
25
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
78
has manual focus
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (229 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
72
screen articulates fully
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS1
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow fps (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than others (229 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
environment proof
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Landscape photography camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse function
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
not so great battery power (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others (229g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no external mic jack
71
display is selfie friendly
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external microphone port
more heavy than competition (678 grams)
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax K-S2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax K-S2
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2009-05-14 2015-02-10
Body design Compact Compact 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 10MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type 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
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229g (0.50 pounds) 678g (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 410 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $0 $581