Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2
90 Imaging
42 Features
58 Overall
48


64 Imaging
63 Features
82 Overall
70
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs
(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
- Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ60
- Older Model is Panasonic ZS35
- Newer Model is Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
- 20MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Display
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
- Launched February 2015
- Previous Model is Pentax K-S1

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview
The following is a extensive assessment of the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS40 (18MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is fairly comparable but the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

The ZS40 was released 13 months prior to the K-S2 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise view of how the ZS40 scores vs the K-S2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Gallery
This is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 and Pentax K-S2. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery and Pentax K-S2 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-S2
ZS40 | K-S2 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic ZS40
K-S2 | ZS40 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | February 2015 | ![]() | January 2014 | Newer by 13 months |
Display type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating display |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 920k | Clearer display (+1k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S2
ZS40 | K-S2 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display size |
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither provides Touch friendly display |
Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison
For those who are intending to travel with your camera often, you need to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS40 provides 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-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).
See the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS40 and the K-S2.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZS40 and K-S2 is 90 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor dimensions just by checking out a spec sheet. The image underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS40 and K-S2.
Clearly, the two cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS40 due to its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S2 will provide more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The more aged ZS40 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Pentax K-S2 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Make | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 | Pentax K-S2 |
Alternate name | Lumix DMC-TZ60 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2014-01-06 | 2015-02-10 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact 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 |
Peak resolution | 4896 x 3672 | 5472 x 3648 |
Highest native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Highest enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
AF touch | ||
Continuous AF | ||
AF single | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detection focusing | ||
Contract detection focusing | ||
Phase detection focusing | ||
Total focus points | 23 | 11 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 24-720mm (30.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/3.3-6.4 | - |
Macro focusing distance | 3cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.8 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of screen | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Screen resolution | 920 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD with AR coating | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | Electronic | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder resolution | 200 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 4s | 30s |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/6000s |
Continuous shutter rate | 10.0 frames per sec | 5.4 frames per sec |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt 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, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash |
Hot shoe | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
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 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Highest video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, AVCHD | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone port | ||
Headphone port | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
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 | 240 gr (0.53 lbs) | 678 gr (1.49 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") | 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 300 shots | 410 shots |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI109 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch price | $450 | $581 |