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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Launched February 2018
  • Superseded the Pentax K-1
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Below, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-1 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-1 II (Full frame) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS15 was introduced 6 years prior to the K-1 II which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ZS15 matches up versus the K-1 II with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-1 II

 ZS15 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-1 II ZS15 
LaunchedFebruary 2018June 2012More modern by 68 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k460kCrisper display (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-1 II

 ZS15 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS15 features external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 II has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-1 II in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS15 against the K-1 II.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and K-1 II is 92 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to see the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over a spec sheet. The picture here should offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and K-1 II.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS15 with its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh more difficult and the Pentax K-1 II will offer more detail using its extra 24MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS15 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS15
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
21
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
86
focusing manually
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Street photography highlights
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (208 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
70
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
above average ISO range (819,200)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography highlights
36
long zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
77
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
bad battery power (670 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography details
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography details
61
lighter than competition (208 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
weather sealing
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
bad battery power (670 per charge)
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Landscape photography camera
37
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
not so great battery pack (260 CIPA)
missing Timelapse recording
82
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
two card slots
bad battery power (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging information
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging information
33
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (208g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
missing microphone socket
32
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition (1,010g)
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-29 2018-02-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME IV
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Maximum native ISO 6400 819200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF4
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208g (0.46 pounds) 1010g (2.23 pounds)
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 rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 670 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single 2
Cost at launch $279 $1,737