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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Bump to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-r, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the K-r (12MP) is relatively well matched but the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The ZS5 was brought out 8 months earlier than the K-r so they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple summary of how the ZS5 grades vs the K-r when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS5 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS5

 K-r ZS5 
LaunchedMarch 2011June 2010Newer by 8 months
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-r

 ZS5 K-r 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera regularly, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS5 has exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax K-r has sizing of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-r in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS5 vs the K-r.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and K-r is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions just by checking a spec sheet. The picture here should give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and K-r.

As you can see, each of these cameras feature the identical MP albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The ZS5 uses the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field tougher. The more aged ZS5 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Portrait photography camera
27
offers face detection focusing
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS5
Street photography with Pentax K-r
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-r Sports photography advice
31
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking autofocus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
55
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames/s)
resolution not great (12MP)
low battery power (470 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-r Travel photography factors
63
lighter than competition (214g)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.3)
47
has built in flash
low battery power (470 per charge)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-r Landscape photography details
33
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
65
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
low battery power (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-r Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focusing
lighter than competition (214g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic jack
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K-r
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K-r
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-06-16 2011-03-11
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214g (0.47 pounds) 598g (1.32 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life - 470 shots
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Storage slots One One
Retail cost $300 $1,100