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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 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
  • Revealed June 2012
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Announced June 2016
  • Successor is Pentax KF
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

Let's examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS15 (12MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-70 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.

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The ZS15 was released 4 years before the K-70 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the ZS15 matches up vs the K-70 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-70

 ZS15 K-70 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-70 ZS15 
AnnouncedJune 2016June 2012Fresher by 48 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-70

 ZS15 K-70 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurements
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry your camera often, you will need to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS15 has got outside dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) and the Pentax K-70 has dimensions of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") along with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached during that time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS15 compared to the K-70.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS15 and K-70 is 92 and 62 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to picture the gap in sensor sizing just by looking through a spec sheet. The visual underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS15 and K-70.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS15 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-70 will render extra detail as a result of its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The older ZS15 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-70 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
80
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography factors
Pentax K-70 Street photography factors
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (208g)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
71
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
great high ISO (102,400)
more heavy than competition in class (688 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS15
Sports photography with Pentax K-70
36
incredible zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (260 shots)
has no phase detect autofocus
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Travel photography camera
61
lighter than competitors (208 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
bad battery power (260 CIPA)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
more heavy than competition in class (688g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography features
37
reasonably wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
bad battery power (260 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse recording
78
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (102,400)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-70 as a Vlogging camera
33
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (208g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
lack of mic support
71
selfie friendly screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (688g)
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-70
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-70
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-06-29 2016-06-08
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 208 gr (0.46 lb) 688 gr (1.52 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 410 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Card slots One One
Launch price $279 $649