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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 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-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

On this page, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-S1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The ZS5 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-S1 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ZS5 matches up against the K-S1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS5 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS5

 K-S1 ZS5 
RevealedAugust 2014June 2010More modern by 51 months
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS5 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera, you will have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS5 comes with external dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS5 and the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and K-S1 is 92 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the difference in sensor sizes simply by looking through a spec sheet. The picture here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and K-S1.

Clearly, both the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS5 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-S1 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more aged ZS5 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Portrait photography camera
27
has face detection focusing
manual focus not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
77
you can focus manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (214g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than average (558 grams)
above average high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography features
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300 seconds)
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
supports phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (5.4 frames/s)
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
Travel photography with Pentax K-S1
63
lighter than others in class (214 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great reach (300mm)
no Timelapse function
MP count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than average (558g)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
not so great battery life (410 shots)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography info
33
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse function
73
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
not so great battery life (410 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging highlights
31
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than others in class (214g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average (558 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K-S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2010-06-16 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 5.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 pounds) 558 grams (1.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life - 410 shots
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $300 $339