Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500
90 Imaging
43 Features
58 Overall
49
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Panasonic ZS35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
(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
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.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe 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.
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and Pentax K-500. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-500
ZS40 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic ZS40
K-500 | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen resolution | 921k | 920k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-500
ZS40 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | January 2014 | November 2013 | Similar generation | |
Manual focus | More exact focus | |||
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Screen sizing | 3" | 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.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.
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 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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Pentax 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 |