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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Released January 2016
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS200
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS100 versus Pentax K-r, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the ZS100 (20MP) and K-r (12MP) and the ZS100 (1") and K-r (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The ZS100 was unveiled 4 years later than the K-r and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ZS100 matches up against the K-r for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS100 K-r 
LaunchedJanuary 2016March 2011Fresher by 59 months
Display resolution1040k921kClearer display (+119k dot)
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS100

 K-r ZS100 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax K-r

 ZS100 K-r 
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS100 enjoys outer dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has proportions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS100 versus Pentax K-r 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 use at the time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS100 and the K-r.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the ZS100 and K-r is 87 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Usually, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS100 and K-r.

Plainly, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS100 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic ZS100 will show more detail having an extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos far more aggressively. The fresher ZS100 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-r Portrait photography highlights
64
manual focus
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
cannot use external flash
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
78
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
offers focus via touch
lighter than average in class (312g)
no moving screen
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Sports photography information
Pentax K-r Sports photography information
67
silent shooting (1/16,000s)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (1")
features tracking focus
does not have phase detect AF
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
slow frames per second (6.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS100
Travel photography with Pentax K-r
75
lighter than average in class (312 grams)
offers focus via touch
decent megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
47
built-in flash
bad battery pack (470 CIPA)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-r Landscape photography features
68
manual focus
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (20MP)
sensor size is good (1")
delivers RAW formats
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
bad battery pack (470 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Vlogging info
Pentax K-r Vlogging info
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than average in class (312g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly screen
missing microphone jack
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic support
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Pentax K-r
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ100 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2016-01-05 2011-03-11
Physical type Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type MOS CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 5472 x 3648 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 25600
Minimum native ISO 125 200
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO 80 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 49 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed 1/16000 seconds -
Continuous shutter rate 9.9fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt 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, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K/UHD (3840 x 2160 @ 30p/24p), 1920 x 1080 @ 60p/60i/30p/24p, 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 3840x2160 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 312g (0.69 lb) 598g (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 70 72
DXO Color Depth score 22.8 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score 12.5 12.4
DXO Low light score 559 755
Other
Battery life 300 images 470 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $700 $1,100