Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Below is a extensive analysis of the Panasonic ZS45 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is relatively comparable but the ZS45 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The ZS45 was unveiled 20 months later than the K-5 IIs which makes them a generation apart from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the ZS45 matches up versus the K-5 IIs with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 & Pentax K-5 IIs. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS45 Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS45 comes with external dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS45 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is a front view scale comparison of the ZS45 versus the K-5 IIs.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS45 and K-5 IIs is 91 and 60 respectively.

Quite often, its hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing technical specs. The photograph here may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS45 and K-5 IIs.

As you can tell, both of these cameras come with the identical megapixel count albeit different sensor measurements. The ZS45 includes the smaller sensor which will make obtaining bokeh trickier. The fresher ZS45 should have a benefit in sensor technology.