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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Revealed January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS35
  • Later Model is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
  • Older Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

On this page, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty similar but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The ZS40 was announced 2 months later than the K-50 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a brief summation of how the ZS40 matches up against the K-50 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-50

 ZS40 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic ZS40

 K-50 ZS40 
Screen resolution921k920kSharper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-50

 ZS40 K-50 
LaunchedJanuary 2014November 2013Similar age
Manual focus Very accurate focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 offers exterior dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-50 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS40 versus the K-50.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS40 and K-50 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing simply by going over technical specs. The photograph below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and K-50.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS40 having a tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic ZS40 will offer more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography details
52
focusing manually
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography info
Pentax K-50 Street photography info
69
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than average (240 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
more heavy than others (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
54
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
environment sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography information
Pentax K-50 Travel photography information
69
lighter than average (240 grams)
MP count decent (18MP)
flash built-in
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
56
environment sealing
MP count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (410 per charge)
more heavy than others (650 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography highlights
56
focusing manually
pretty wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lack of Time Lapse recording
74
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging information
Pentax K-50 Vlogging information
34
pretty wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (240g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of external mic jack
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone socket
more heavy than others (650 grams)
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K-50
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2014-01-06 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine PRIME M
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4896 x 3672 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 51600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT LCD with AR coating TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240 grams (0.53 lb) 650 grams (1.43 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 410 pictures
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $450 $610