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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-r, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very well matched but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-r (APS-C) boast different sensor sizes.

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The ZS1 was revealed 22 months before the K-r making them a generation apart from one another. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the ZS1 scores versus the K-r with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS1 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS1

 K-r ZS1 
RevealedMarch 2011May 2009Fresher by 22 months
Manual 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-r

 ZS1 K-r 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you'll need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS1 has got outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") with a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

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

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the ZS1 and the K-r.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and K-r is 91 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizing simply by reading through specs. The graphic below may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS1 and K-r.

All in all, both of these cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS1 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-r will give greater detail because of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older ZS1 is going to be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-r Portrait photography information
25
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low resolution (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
Street photography with Pentax K-r
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Sports photography camera
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect autofocus
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-r Travel photography advice
63
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
missing Timelapse mode
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
low battery life (470 shots)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-r Landscape photography highlights
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
lack of manual mode
low resolution (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
65
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low MP (12 megapixels)
low battery life (470 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-r as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
missing microphone port
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax K-r
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax K-r
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2009-05-14 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Lowest enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 598 gr (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $0 $1,100