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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Increase to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below is a extended overview of the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax K-x, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS1 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is fairly close but the ZS1 (1/2.5") and K-x (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS1 was introduced 7 months earlier than the K-x which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the ZS1 matches up against the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax K-x

 ZS1 K-x 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic ZS1

 K-x ZS1 
AnnouncedDecember 2009May 2009More recent by 7 months
Focus manually More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-x

 ZS1 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurement
Display resolution230k230kExact same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS1 offers exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax K-x in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS1 vs the K-x.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and K-x is 91 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching specifications. The visual below may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS1 and K-x.

Plainly, both of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS1 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-x will result in extra detail using its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos a bit more aggressively. The older ZS1 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-x Portrait photography info
25
has face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
MP count low (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-x Street photography factors
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (229g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-x Travel photography information
63
lighter than average in class (229g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low resolution (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
54
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
no Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Landscape photography camera
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
low resolution (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.5")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7")
MP count low (12 megapixels)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS1
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (229g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone socket
27
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic support
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax K-x
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-05-14 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest 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 size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 gr (0.50 lbs) 580 gr (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Launch cost $0 $600