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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The ZS40 was unveiled 2 months after the K-500 so they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise view of how the ZS40 grades against the K-500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-500

 ZS40 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic ZS40

 K-500 ZS40 
Screen resolution921k920kCrisper screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-500

 ZS40 K-500 
RevealedJanuary 2014November 2013Similar generation
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 has exterior measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") and a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has specifications of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K-500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the ZS40 versus the K-500.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and K-500 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualise the difference between sensor sizes only by reading through specs. The picture here will help give you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS40 and K-500.

All in all, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS40 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Panasonic ZS40 will give you greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop photographs far more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography factors
52
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
Street photography with Pentax K-500
69
image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (240g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
great ISO range (51,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
54
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery (710 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
69
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
flash built-in
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
missing Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
good battery (710 CIPA)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography information
56
focusing manually
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
missing Timelapse mode
79
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW formats
good battery (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging info
Pentax K-500 Vlogging info
34
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than others in class (240 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone jack
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K-500
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 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 dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 3200 51600
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology 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
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
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
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 240g (0.53 lbs) 646g (1.42 lbs)
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 All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 710 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $450 $600