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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS50
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below, we are comparing the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax K-S2, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS45 (16MP) and the K-S2 (20MP) is very well matched but the ZS45 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) use different sensor size.

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The ZS45 was brought out at a similar time to the K-S2 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving through a complete comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the ZS45 scores versus the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Pentax K-S2

 ZS45 K-S2 
Display resolution1040k921kCrisper display (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic ZS45

 K-S2 ZS45 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax K-S2

 ZS45 K-S2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015February 2015Similar age
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS45 comes with outside dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the ZS45 vs the K-S2.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and K-S2 is 91 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's difficult to imagine the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking a spec sheet. The image underneath might provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS45 and K-S2.

Clearly, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS45 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-S2 will resolve greater detail having its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop pics somewhat more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography advice
37
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
78
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S2 Street photography advice
69
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (249g)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
72
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
above average ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competitors (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography factors
55
long zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
good battery life (350 per charge)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
70
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS45
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
71
good battery life (350 shots)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (480mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
bad battery life (410 CIPA)
heavier than competitors (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
47
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
good battery life (350 CIPA)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
bad battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (249 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
lack of mic jack
71
selfie friendly display
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic socket
heavier than competitors (678g)
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Pentax K-S2
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 21 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fully Articulated
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes 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
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249g (0.55 lbs) 678g (1.49 lbs)
Dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 350 photographs 410 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail price $300 $581