Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Following is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) possess totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS3 was manufactured 5 years before the K-5 IIs which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a full comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZS3 scores against the K-5 IIs when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and Pentax K-5 IIs. The entire galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery and Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS3 has exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 IIs has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS3 compared to the K-5 IIs.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and K-5 IIs is 91 and 60 respectively.

Sometimes, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes purely by checking out specs. The pic underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and K-5 IIs.

All in all, each of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS3 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-5 IIs will provide greater detail due to its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.