Clicky

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D 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
  • Launched June 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Announced June 2008
  • Previous Model is Pentax K10D
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this write-up, we will be comparing the Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the K20D (15MP) is pretty similar but the ZS5 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The ZS5 was released 2 years after the K20D which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a short introduction of how the ZS5 matches up vs the K20D in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax K20D

 ZS5 K20D 
AnnouncedJune 2010June 2008Newer by 25 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic ZS5

 K20D ZS5 
Focus manually Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K20D

 ZS5 K20D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing2.7"2.7"Equivalent screen sizing
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys 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 K20D has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS5 versus the K20D.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and K20D is 92 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Often, it is difficult to imagine the difference between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing specs. The picture here will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and K20D.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The ZS5 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K20D will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 3MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures a little more aggressively. The younger ZS5 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography features
Pentax K20D Portrait photography features
27
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
71
focusing manually
decent megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
Pentax K20D Street photography details
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (214 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
no moving screen
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography info
Pentax K20D Sports photography info
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking autofocus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect AF
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography features
Pentax K20D Travel photography features
63
lighter than competition in class (214g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
environment sealing
decent megapixels (15MP)
built-in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
Landscape photography with Pentax K20D
33
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Timelapse recording
70
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
small screen (2.7 inches)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging features
Pentax K20D Vlogging features
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (214g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
9
lack of video recording
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax K20D
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax K20D
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-06-16 2008-06-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
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 range 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1300s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 grams (0.47 lbs) 800 grams (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch cost $300 $700