Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax ist DS2

The following is a thorough comparison of the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax ist DS2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS1 was launched 3 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a short view of how the ZS1 scores vs the ist DS2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 and Pentax ist DS2. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS1 Gallery and Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

For those who are intending to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS1 features exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS1 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS1 against the ist DS2.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS1 and ist DS2 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Generally, its tough to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions only by looking at technical specs. The image below may give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS1 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, the two cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS1 featuring a tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic ZS1 will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs far more aggressively. The more modern ZS1 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.