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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x 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 referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-x, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty close but the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) have different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS5 was launched 6 months after the K-x which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the ZS5 grades vs the K-x with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K-x

 ZS5 K-x 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic ZS5

 K-x ZS5 
Manual focus Very precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-x

 ZS5 K-x 
LaunchedJune 2010December 2009Same generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS5 has external 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-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K-x in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS5 against the K-x.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

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

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The image underneath might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and K-x.

As you can tell, both of those cameras feature the identical megapixels albeit different sensor sizes. The ZS5 includes the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallower depth of field harder.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
27
offers face detect focus
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
focusing manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-x Sports photography advice
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers tracking focus
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,300s)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good battery (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps low (5.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography features
Pentax K-x Travel photography features
63
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
54
good battery (1,900 shots)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-x Landscape photography factors
33
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
good battery (1,900 per charge)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging details
Pentax K-x Vlogging details
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect focus
lighter than competitors (214 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K-x
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-06-16 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest boosted ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.30 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lb) 580 gr (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots 1 1
Launch cost $300 $600