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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched December 2006
  • Updated by Pentax K100D S
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D Overview

In this write-up, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K100D, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the image resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and K100D (6MP) and the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) come with different sensor sizing.

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The ZS5 was unveiled 3 years later than the K100D and that is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick overview of how the ZS5 matches up against the K100D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K100D

 ZS5 K100D 
LaunchedJune 2010December 2006More recent by 44 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kClearer screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Panasonic ZS5

 K100D ZS5 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K100D

 ZS5 K100D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS5 comes with exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has proportions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") along with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax K100D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that time. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the ZS5 against the K100D.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and K100D is 92 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's tough to visualize the contrast between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The graphic here may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and K100D.

As you have seen, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS5 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic ZS5 will offer you extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will help you crop shots far more aggressively. The more modern ZS5 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K100D Portrait photography factors
27
features face detect focusing
manual focus not available
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
Pentax K100D Street photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (214 grams)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
fixed screen
more heavy than competitors in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Sports photography camera
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
Pentax K100D Travel photography advice
63
lighter than average (214 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
42
flash built-in
does not have Timelapse mode
more heavy than competitors in class (660g)
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography information
Pentax K100D Landscape photography information
33
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7")
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse recording
52
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview feature
low megapixels (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
Vlogging with Pentax K100D
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
lighter than average (214 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
9
can't record video
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K100D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K100D
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K100D
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-06-16 2006-12-03
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1300s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format 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 None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lb) 660 gr (1.46 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Launch price $300 $0