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Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
89
Imaging
40
Features
50
Overall
44
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS35
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 305g - 107 x 62 x 32mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ55
  • Older Model is Panasonic ZS30
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS40
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Lets look much closer at the Panasonic ZS35 and Pentax K-S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS35 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly well matched but the ZS35 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The ZS35 was launched 13 months before the K-S2 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS35 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS35 scores against the K-S2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS35 over the Pentax K-S2

 ZS35 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic ZS35

 K-S2 ZS35 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015January 2014Newer by 13 months
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution921k460kClearer display (+461k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS35 and Pentax K-S2

 ZS35 K-S2 
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS35 offers outer dimensions of 107mm x 62mm x 32mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 305 grams (0.67 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") having a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS35 and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS35 vs the K-S2.

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS35 and K-S2 is 89 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading through specs. The image here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS35 and K-S2.

As you can plainly see, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS35 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-S2 will give extra detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS35 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS35 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography information
37
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detect focusing
no manual focus
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS35 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
68
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (305g)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS35 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography advice
53
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
not so great battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS35
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
68
lighter than competition (305g)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
environment sealing
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
not so great battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competitors in class (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS35 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography information
44
quite wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS35 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging highlights
34
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (305 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
heavier than competitors in class (678g)
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Panasonic ZS35 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS35 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS35 Pentax K-S2
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ55 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-01-06 2015-02-10
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor 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 surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 21 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD (180 degree tilt) with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
Auto exposure 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 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 305g (0.67 lb) 678g (1.49 lb)
Dimensions 107 x 62 x 32mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at launch $300 $581