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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2014
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K-7, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly similar but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS40 was announced 4 years after the K-7 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the ZS40 scores vs the K-7 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-7

 ZS40 K-7 
LaunchedJanuary 2014October 2009More modern by 52 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic ZS40

 K-7 ZS40 
Display resolution921k920kCrisper display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-7

 ZS40 K-7 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS40 enjoys outer dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K-7 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS40 and the K-7.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and K-7 is 90 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing specifications. The pic below may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS40 and K-7.

To sum up, each of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS40 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic ZS40 will offer more detail with its extra 3MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more recent ZS40 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography factors
52
you can focus manually
good resolution (18MP)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
72
has manual focus
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography information
Pentax K-7 Street photography information
69
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (240g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS40
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18MP)
includes tracking focus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
69
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography details
Pentax K-7 Travel photography details
69
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
good resolution (18MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
environment proof
good MP (15MP)
flash built-in
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography features
56
you can focus manually
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (18 megapixels)
saves RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS40
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than average in class (240 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
missing mic jack
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
does not posses selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external mic support
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K-7
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K-7
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2014-01-06 2009-10-02
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4896 x 3672 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 3200 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 920k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD with AR coating TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 240g (0.53 pounds) 750g (1.65 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life 300 images 980 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $450 $599