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Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
43
Overall
41
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS25
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 193g - 105 x 59 x 28mm
  • Launched January 2013
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ35
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS20
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS30
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Released August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Below, we are analyzing the Panasonic ZS25 and Pentax K-S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS25 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the ZS25 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS25 was manufactured 19 months before the K-S1 making the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS25 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ZS25 grades against the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS25 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS25 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS25

 K-S1 ZS25 
ReleasedAugust 2014January 2013More recent by 19 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS25 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS25 K-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS25 provides outside dimensions of 105mm x 59mm x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") along with a weight of 193 grams (0.43 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS25 and Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Here is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS25 vs the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS25 and K-S1 is 93 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the contrast in sensor measurements only by seeing specifications. The photograph below will help provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS25 and K-S1.

To sum up, the two cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS25 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-S1 will provide extra detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The older ZS25 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography advice
32
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
77
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Optical)
has focus by touch
lighter than competition in class (193g)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (558 grams)
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography factors
45
incredible zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
offers tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,200 seconds)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery (260 shots)
lack of phase detect auto focus
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
has phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
low battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
69
lighter than competition in class (193 grams)
has focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long reach (480mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (260 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than average in class (558g)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
low battery (410 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography advice
43
reasonably wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
terrible battery (260 shots)
does not have Time Lapse mode
73
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
low battery (410 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS25 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging info
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (193 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
does not have mic port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (558g)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic support
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Panasonic ZS25 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS25 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25Pentax K-S1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS25 Pentax K-S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ35 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2013-01-07 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1200 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 193 grams (0.43 lbs) 558 grams (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 105 x 59 x 28mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 260 photos 410 photos
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
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 1 1
Price at launch $300 $339