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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Released May 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) use different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS3 was unveiled 5 years before the K-5 II and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the ZS3 matches up vs the K-5 II for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax K-5 II

 ZS3 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic ZS3

 K-5 II ZS3 
ReleasedJune 2013May 2009Fresher by 49 months
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-5 II

 ZS3 K-5 II 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS3 provides physical measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have at that moment. The following is the front view size comparison of the ZS3 versus the K-5 II.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and K-5 II is 91 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizing simply by going over specs. The graphic here might offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and K-5 II.

All in all, both of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS3 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-5 II will offer you more detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos far more aggressively. The older ZS3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography advice
19
manual focus not available
no manual mode
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography info
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
79
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment proofing
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography highlights
63
lighter than competition in class (229g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
environment proofing
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography details
35
reasonably wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
no manual mode
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
79
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging information
30
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (229 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing mic support
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax K-5 II
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-05-14 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD 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 10MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lb) 760 grams (1.68 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 photographs
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $200 $830