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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Following is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-01, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and K-01 (16MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The ZS5 was launched 23 months earlier than the K-01 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summation of how the ZS5 grades against the K-01 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K-01

 ZS5 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic ZS5

 K-01 ZS5 
LaunchedMay 2012June 2010More modern by 23 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-01

 ZS5 K-01 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS5 has got outer measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has specifications of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") having a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-01 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS5 versus the K-01.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and K-01 is 92 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching specifications. The picture here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS5 and K-01.

Plainly, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS5 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-01 will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more aged ZS5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-01 Portrait photography features
27
features face detect focus
no manual focus
no external flash support
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-01 Street photography advice
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is fixed
heavier than competitors in class (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Sports photography camera
31
image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300 seconds)
low frames per second (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great battery power (540 shots)
max frames per second low (6.0 frames/s)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography details
Pentax K-01 Travel photography details
63
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
great battery power (540 CIPA)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
heavier than competitors in class (561g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
33
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
80
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
great battery power (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
31
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focus
lighter than competition in class (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with external mic socket
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than competitors in class (561 grams)
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K-01
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-06-16 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 pounds) 561 gr (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life - 540 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
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 cost $300 $899