Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-S1

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.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 and Pentax K-S1. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS5 Gallery and Pentax K-S1 Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.