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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Launched January 2016
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS200
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS100 versus Pentax K-S2, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS100 (20MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly similar but the ZS100 (1") and K-S2 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The ZS100 was announced 11 months after the K-S2 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS100 grades vs the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Pentax K-S2

 ZS100 K-S2 
IntroducedJanuary 2016February 2015More modern by 11 months
Display resolution1040k921kClearer display (+119k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic ZS100

 K-S2 ZS100 
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax K-S2

 ZS100 K-S2 
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera often, you will need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS100 offers external measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") and a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS100 versus Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you choose at that time. Following is a front view size comparison of the ZS100 against the K-S2.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS100 and K-S2 is 87 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes just by going over specifications. The pic here may give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS100 and K-S2.

Plainly, the two cameras provide the same MP but different sensor sizes. The ZS100 contains the tinier sensor which will make getting shallow DOF trickier. The more modern ZS100 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography info
64
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (1")
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
78
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Street photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Street photography factors
78
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
includes touch to focus
lighter than others in class (312g)
screen does not articulate
72
screen articulates
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography information
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography information
67
quiet mode (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
features tracking autofocus
lacks phase detect auto focus
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
not so great battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Travel photography information
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography information
75
lighter than others in class (312 grams)
includes touch to focus
good MP (20MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
flash built-in
display is selfie friendly
not so great battery power (410 shots)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography details
68
manual focus
quite wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (1")
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
not so great battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Vlogging features
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging features
35
quite wide (25mm)
touchscreen capability
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than others in class (312 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
missing external microphone jack
71
display is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic support
heavier than competition (678g)
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Pentax K-S2
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ100 -
Category Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-01-05 2015-02-10
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine PRIME MII
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 5472 x 3648 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 12800 51200
Highest boosted ISO 25600 -
Minimum native ISO 125 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shooting rate 9.9fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 8.00 m (at Auto ISO) 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 312g (0.69 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 70 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 not tested
DXO Low light score 559 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 shots 410 shots
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $700 $581