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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Launched June 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Introduced May 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

In this write-up, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-01, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The ZS15 was launched at a similar time to the K-01 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short view of how the ZS15 scores against the K-01 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-01

 ZS15 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-01 ZS15 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-01

 ZS15 K-01 
IntroducedJune 2012May 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS15 provides exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax K-01 has proportions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS15 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and K-01 is 92 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing only by reviewing specifications. The visual here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS15 and K-01.

To sum up, both the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS15 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-01 will offer you extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography factors
21
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
74
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
screen is fixed
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
no moving screen
more heavy than others (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 shots)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery power (540 shots)
low frames per second (6.0 frames/s)
has no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competition in class (208 grams)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (384mm)
does not have Timelapse function
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
65
good battery power (540 per charge)
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
more heavy than others (561 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
37
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (260 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
80
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
good battery power (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-01 Vlogging highlights
33
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (208g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
does not have external microphone support
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes microphone port
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than others (561 grams)
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-01
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2012-06-29 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lbs) 561 gr (1.24 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 260 photos 540 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $279 $899