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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
37
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Launched June 2012
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS20
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS15 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very similar but the ZS15 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) boast totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS15 was revealed 16 months after the K-r making them a generation away from each other. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS15 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS15 scores against the K-r when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS15 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS15 K-r 
RevealedJune 2012March 2011Newer by 16 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS15

 K-r ZS15 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-r

 ZS15 K-r 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS15 has external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 208 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-r has specifications of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS15 and the K-r.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS15 and K-r is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specifications. The picture below will help provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS15 and K-r.

To sum up, the 2 cameras come with the identical resolution but not the same sensor dimensions. The ZS15 includes the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow depth of field harder. The more modern ZS15 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
63
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Street photography factors
Pentax K-r Street photography factors
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (208g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Sports photography features
Pentax K-r Sports photography features
36
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
55
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Travel photography info
Pentax K-r Travel photography info
61
lighter than others in class (208 grams)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
very long zoom (384mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery power (260 CIPA)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
terrible battery (470 shots)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-r Landscape photography factors
37
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
not so great battery power (260 per charge)
no Timelapse function
65
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low resolution (12MP)
terrible battery (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS15 Vlogging details
Pentax K-r Vlogging details
33
rather wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (208g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
no external microphone jack
26
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of mic jack
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Panasonic ZS15 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS15 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15Pentax K-r
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS15 Pentax K-r
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ25 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2012-06-29 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 208g (0.46 lb) 598g (1.32 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 755
Other
Battery life 260 photos 470 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $279 $1,100