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Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Announced January 2013
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS20
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS30
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZS25 versus Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS25 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty close but the ZS25 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS25 was unveiled 10 months prior to the K-500 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a full comparison, below is a simple summation of how the ZS25 matches up vs the K-500 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Pentax K-500

 ZS25 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic ZS25

 K-500 ZS25 
RevealedNovember 2013January 2013More modern by 10 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS25 and Pentax K-500

 ZS25 K-500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS25 features exterior measurements of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) while the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS25 versus Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS25 vs the K-500.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS25 and K-500 is 93 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes simply by researching specs. The pic below may provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS25 and K-500.

All in all, both the cameras posses the exact same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The ZS25 uses the smaller sensor which will make obtaining shallow DOF harder. The more aged ZS25 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography info
32
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Street photography details
Pentax K-500 Street photography details
66
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides touch to focus
lighter than competition (193g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
great ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS25
Sports photography with Pentax K-500
45
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
offers tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
low battery pack (260 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
good battery power (710 shots)
supports phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition (193 grams)
provides touch to focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
great zoom (480mm)
no Timelapse mode
low battery pack (260 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
good battery power (710 shots)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography information
43
fairly wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery pack (260 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
exports RAW files
good battery power (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging details
Pentax K-500 Vlogging details
34
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (193g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
no microphone support
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have microphone support
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Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS25 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25Pentax K-500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 Pentax K-500
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ35 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-01-07 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4896 x 3672 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect 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) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 193 grams (0.43 lbs) 646 grams (1.42 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 260 photos 710 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $300 $600