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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Introduced June 2010
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced December 2010
  • Superseded the Pentax K-7
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The ZS5 was announced 6 months before the K-5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS5 grades against the K-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K-5

 ZS5 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic ZS5

 K-5 ZS5 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-5

 ZS5 K-5 
IntroducedJune 2010December 2010Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS5 features outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-5 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 differ depending on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS5 and the K-5.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and K-5 is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specs. The visual underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS5 and K-5.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS5 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-5 will render extra detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures much more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography details
27
has face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
no external flash support
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
73
has manual focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
Pentax K-5 Street photography features
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 Travel photography info
63
lighter than others in class (214g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
resolution not great (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
33
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse function
78
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-5 as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
lighter than others in class (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K-5
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2010-06-16 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at release $300 $800