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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Revealed June 2010
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Lets examine more in depth at the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is pretty close but the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) use totally different sensor size.

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The ZS5 was unveiled 9 months later than the K-7 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS5 grades vs the K-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K-7

 ZS5 K-7 
AnnouncedJune 2010October 2009More recent by 9 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic ZS5

 K-7 ZS5 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-7

 ZS5 K-7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you're going to lug around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 features physical measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are working with at the time. Underneath is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS5 vs the K-7.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and K-7 is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements simply by looking through technical specs. The photograph below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and K-7.

As you have seen, both of those cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS5 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-7 will provide you with extra detail having an extra 3 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The more recent ZS5 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography factors
27
provides face detection focusing
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
72
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-7 Sports photography factors
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking autofocus
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography information
Pentax K-7 Travel photography information
63
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
built-in flash
really wide (25mm)
long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
environment proof
good resolution (15MP)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
33
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7")
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone support
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic port
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K-7
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2010-06-16 2009-10-02
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 2000
Highest boosted ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 grams (0.47 lb) 750 grams (1.65 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 All around score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life - 980 photos
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $300 $599