Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax ist DS2

Below is a thorough analysis of the Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax ist DS2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the ZS45 (16MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS45 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS45 was released 9 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS45 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the ZS45 matches up versus the ist DS2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS45 & Pentax ist DS2. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS45 Gallery & Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you'll have to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS45 provides outside measurements of 108mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.3" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 249 grams (0.55 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS45 vs Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS45 versus the ist DS2.

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS45 and ist DS2 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Normally, it can be hard to envision the difference between sensor measurements merely by checking specs. The visual below should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS45 and ist DS2.

All in all, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS45 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Panasonic ZS45 will resolve extra detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively. The more recent ZS45 is going to have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.