Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K100D

Lets look more closely at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K100D, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and K100D (6MP) and the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) have different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The ZS40 was announced 7 years after the K100D which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the ZS40 grades versus the K100D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 & Pentax K100D. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS40 Gallery & Pentax K100D Gallery.

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS40 comes with external measurements of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") having a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has sizing of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS40 versus Pentax K100D in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS40 vs the K100D.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and K100D is 90 and 64 respectively.

Often, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading through technical specs. The pic underneath might offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS40 and K100D.

As you can tell, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS40 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Panasonic ZS40 will give extra detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The younger ZS40 should have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.