Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-3 II

In this article, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-3 II, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the sensor resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS5 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-3 II and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a more detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the ZS5 matches up vs the K-3 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 and Pentax K-3 II. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS5 Gallery and Pentax K-3 II Gallery.

In case you're intending to carry your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS5 has got physical dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-3 II in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS5 and the K-3 II.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and K-3 II is 92 and 59 respectively.

More often than not, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor sizing merely by going through specs. The photograph here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and K-3 II.

As you can plainly see, both cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS5 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-3 II will show greater detail because of its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop images a little more aggressively. The older ZS5 will be behind in sensor tech.