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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II 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
  • Introduced June 2012
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced June 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Let's look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS15 was revealed 11 months earlier than the K-5 II and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a more detailed comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the ZS15 scores vs the K-5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-5 II

 ZS15 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-5 II ZS15 
AnnouncedJune 2013June 2012More modern by 11 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-5 II

 ZS15 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys exterior dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS15 against the K-5 II.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and K-5 II is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to envision the difference in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The picture here will give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS15 and K-5 II.

Plainly, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS15 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-5 II will provide extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS15 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography info
21
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS15
Street photography with Pentax K-5 II
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (208g)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 shots)
has no phase detect AF
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 II
61
lighter than average in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
environment sealing
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography info
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery (260 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
79
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (208g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no mic jack
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-5 II
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-06-29 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Resolution of screen 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208g (0.46 lb) 760g (1.68 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 980 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $279 $830