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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase 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
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Newer Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS40 was announced 7 months prior to the K-S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the ZS40 grades vs the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS40 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS40

 K-S1 ZS40 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2014Fresher by 7 months
Display resolution921k920kClearer display (+1k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS40 K-S1 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display sizing3"3"Equivalent display sizing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS40 provides physical measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has proportions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view scale comparison of the ZS40 against the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and K-S1 is 90 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The photograph here will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS40 and K-S1.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS40 having a smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-S1 will provide greater detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The older ZS40 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography info
52
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW files
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
78
has manual focus
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS40
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (240g)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
above average high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Sports photography information
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography information
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18MP)
includes tracking focus
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.4 fps)
bad battery power (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition in class (240g)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
pretty wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
missing Time Lapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors (558g)
good MP (20MP)
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
bad battery power (410 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography details
56
you can focus manually
pretty wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (18 megapixels)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
missing Time Lapse function
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
bad battery power (410 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
34
pretty wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (240 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
missing mic socket
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors (558 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K-S1
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-01-06 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 23 11
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 -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 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 capability
Display tech TFT LCD with AR coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
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 gr (0.53 lbs) 558 gr (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 300 pictures 410 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $450 $339