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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
87
Imaging
52
Features
65
Overall
57
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS100
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-250mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 312g - 111 x 65 x 44mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ100
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS200
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

In this write-up, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax ist DS2, former is a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the ZS100 (20MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS100 (1") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature different sensor size.

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The ZS100 was unveiled 10 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS100 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple view of how the ZS100 scores vs the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS100 over the Pentax ist DS2

 ZS100 ist DS2 
LaunchedJanuary 2016August 2005Newer by 127 months
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k210kCrisper display (+830k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic ZS100

 ist DS2 ZS100 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax ist DS2

 ZS100 ist DS2 
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS100 provides physical dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 312 grams (0.69 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax ist DS2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are using at the time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS100 vs the ist DS2.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS100 and ist DS2 is 87 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions just by reviewing specs. The image below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS100 and ist DS2.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS100 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS100 will deliver more detail having an extra 14MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger ZS100 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography info
64
focusing manually
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
external flash not possible
50
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Street photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
78
image stabilization (Optical)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition (312g)
screen does not articulate
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
67
quiet shooting (1/16,000s)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (1")
offers tracking autofocus
doesn't have phase detect AF
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Travel photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography features
75
lighter than competition (312g)
provides touch to focus
good megapixels (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
lighter than competition (605g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (6MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS100 Landscape photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography information
68
focusing manually
relatively wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (20MP)
good sensor size (1")
delivers RAW files
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
small screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS100
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
35
relatively wide (25mm)
touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 resolution)
lighter than competition (312 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
missing external mic jack
22
lighter than competition (605 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
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Panasonic ZS100 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS100 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100 Pentax ist DS2
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ100 -
Class Large Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2016-01-05 2005-08-22
Body design Large Sensor Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type MOS CCD
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 116.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 20 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 5472 x 3648 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 12800 3200
Maximum boosted ISO 25600 -
Min native ISO 125 200
RAW photos
Min boosted ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 2.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Highest silent shutter speed 1/16000s -
Continuous shooting speed 9.9 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 8.00 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync., Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 312g (0.69 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 44mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs, 3 shots @ 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $700 -