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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
55
Overall
46
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 front
 
Pentax MX-1 front
Portability
84
Imaging
37
Features
60
Overall
46

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS45
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-480mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 249g - 108 x 60 x 32mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ57
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS40
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS50
Pentax MX-1
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
  • Launched July 2013
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview

Following is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS45 versus Pentax MX-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS45 (16MP) and MX-1 (12MP) and the ZS45 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") have totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS45 was introduced 19 months after the MX-1 which makes them a generation away from one another. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the ZS45 scores vs the MX-1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS45 over the Pentax MX-1

 ZS45 MX-1 
LaunchedJanuary 2015July 2013More modern by 19 months
Screen resolution1040k920kClearer screen (+120k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic ZS45

 MX-1 ZS45 
Focus manually Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax MX-1

 ZS45 MX-1 
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera frequently, you have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS45 enjoys exterior dimensions of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax MX-1 has specifications of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") accompanied by a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS45 versus Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are using at that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS45 against the MX-1.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and MX-1 is 91 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizes purely by checking specifications. The pic here will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS45 and MX-1.

To sum up, both of the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS45 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic ZS45 will give you extra detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more recent ZS45 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS45
Portrait photography with Pentax MX-1
37
good megapixels (16MP)
features face detection focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
42
manual focus
includes face detection focus
exports RAW files
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Street photography information
Pentax MX-1 Street photography information
69
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (249 grams)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
65
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
more heavy than average in class (391 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax MX-1 as a Sports photography camera
55
great zoom range (24-480mm 20.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
good battery (350 CIPA)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
43
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (290 shots)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Travel photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Travel photography factors
71
good battery (350 per charge)
lighter than average (249g)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (480mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
61
better than average battery power (290 per charge)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
lack of Timelapse mode
more heavy than average in class (391g)
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS45 Landscape photography factors
Pentax MX-1 Landscape photography factors
47
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good battery (350 per charge)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
55
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
exports RAW files
better than average battery power (290 CIPA)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
megapixel count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/1.7")
lack of Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS45
Vlogging with Pentax MX-1
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average (249g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic port
33
rather wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
lack of external microphone support
more heavy than average in class (391 grams)
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Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS45 and Pentax MX-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45Pentax MX-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 Pentax MX-1
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ57 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2015-01-06 2013-07-01
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/1.7"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 7.44 x 5.58mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 41.5mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 21 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-480mm (20.0x) 28-112mm (4.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/1.8-2.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 4.8
Screen
Type of screen Tilting Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 920k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 249 gr (0.55 pounds) 391 gr (0.86 pounds)
Physical dimensions 108 x 60 x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.3
DXO Low light score not tested 208
Other
Battery life 350 images 290 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-Li-106
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $300 $400