Panasonic ZS20 vs Pentax K-500

The following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-500, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS20 (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very comparable but the ZS20 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The ZS20 was unveiled 19 months earlier than the K-500 making the cameras a generation away from each other. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS20 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a full comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS20 matches up versus the K-500 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS20 & Pentax K-500. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS20 Gallery & Pentax K-500 Gallery.

In case you're looking to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS20 enjoys external dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 206 grams (0.45 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS20 and Pentax K-500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS20 vs the K-500.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS20 and K-500 is 92 and 64 respectively.

Often, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through specs. The pic underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS20 and K-500.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS20 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-500 will produce extra detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged ZS20 will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.