Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K200D

Following is a extended overview of the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K200D, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the K200D (10MP) is very comparable but the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K200D (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS5 was announced 22 months after the K200D making the cameras a generation away from one another. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K200D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief summary of how the ZS5 matches up against the K200D in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

The following is a sample of the gallery pics for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 and Pentax K200D. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS5 Gallery and Pentax K200D Gallery.

For anybody who is intending to carry around your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS5 features physical 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 K200D has measurements of 134mm x 95mm x 74mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 2.9") having a weight of 690 grams (1.52 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K200D in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you choose at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS5 and the K200D.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS5 and K200D is 92 and 61 respectively.

Sometimes, its difficult to see the gap in sensor sizes merely by seeing technical specs. The image below will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and K200D.

As you have seen, both of these cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS5 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic ZS5 will provide more detail with its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The more modern ZS5 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.