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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 208g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Announced February 2016
  • Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax K-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) posses different sensor measurements.

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The ZS15 was launched 4 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a quick view of how the ZS15 grades against the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-1

 ZS15 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-1 ZS15 
AnnouncedFebruary 2016June 2012Fresher by 44 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kCrisper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-1

 ZS15 K-1 
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS15 has external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS15 versus Pentax K-1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS15 against the K-1.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and K-1 is 92 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing purely by checking out specs. The visual below might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and K-1.

All in all, both the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS15 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-1 will provide more detail utilizing its extra 24MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop shots more aggressively. The older ZS15 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
85
you can focus manually
excellent resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography factors
Pentax K-1 Street photography factors
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
70
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proof
good ISO range (204,800)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Sports photography highlights
36
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery (260 CIPA)
has no phase detect autofocus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
no Timelapse mode
bad battery (260 per charge)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
53
environment proof
excellent resolution (36 megapixels)
terrible battery (760 shots)
heavier than competition in class (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
37
pretty wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery (260 CIPA)
no Timelapse mode
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
good ISO range (204,800)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
33
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors in class (208 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-29 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 36MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/200 seconds
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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 grams (0.46 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 260 shots 760 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One 2
Cost at launch $279 $1,499