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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Announced June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced October 2009
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly comparable but the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The ZS15 was manufactured 2 years later than the K-7 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the ZS15 matches up against the K-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-7

 ZS15 K-7 
IntroducedJune 2012October 2009More recent by 34 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-7 ZS15 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-7

 ZS15 K-7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display size
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to lug around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 enjoys outside dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS15 and the K-7.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and K-7 is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by seeing specs. The visual underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and K-7.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS15 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-7 will provide extra detail due to its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer ZS15 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography advice
21
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (208 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
Pentax K-7 Sports photography features
36
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
69
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
weather proof
has phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS15
Travel photography with Pentax K-7
61
lighter than average (208g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
not so great battery life (260 CIPA)
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
weather proof
good megapixels (15MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography highlights
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
not so great battery life (260 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
77
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (208 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing external mic support
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-7
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2012-06-29 2009-10-02
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 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 6400 2000
Maximum boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
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 None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lbs) 750 gr (1.65 lbs)
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 All around rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 260 photos 980 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $279 $599