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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
46
Overall
40
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic ZS20
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 206g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Revealed April 2012
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS15
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS25
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-5 IIs, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is relatively comparable but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS20 was unveiled 13 months earlier than the K-5 IIs which makes them a generation away from one another. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS20 matches up vs the K-5 IIs in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS20 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 ZS20 K-5 IIs 
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic ZS20

 K-5 IIs ZS20 
IntroducedJune 2013April 2012Newer by 13 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 ZS20 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS20 enjoys outer dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 IIs has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-5 IIs in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS20 and the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and K-5 IIs is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions simply by going through specifications. The image underneath should offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and K-5 IIs.

To sum up, each of the cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-5 IIs will provide more detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography features
30
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
focusing manually
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
65
image stabilization (Optical)
features touch focus
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Sports photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography information
47
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery life (260 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography information
68
lighter than competition in class (206 grams)
features touch focus
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low battery life (260 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather proofing
decent MP (16MP)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS20 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography factors
42
pretty wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
low battery life (260 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse function
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS20
Vlogging with Pentax K-5 IIs
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (206g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone port
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 Pentax K-5 IIs
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ30 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-04-26 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Lowest enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (220 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data 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 BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 206 grams (0.45 lbs) 760 grams (1.68 lbs)
Physical dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 260 pictures 980 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 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 One One
Cost at release $349 $749