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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Announced June 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax RS1500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty comparable and both cameras have the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was unveiled 9 months before the RS1500 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before going right into a more detailed comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the ZS5 scores against the RS1500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax RS1500

 ZS5 RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic ZS5

 RS1500 ZS5 
ReleasedMarch 2011June 2010Fresher by 9 months
Focus manually Very precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax RS1500

 ZS5 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys physical 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 RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS5 versus Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS5 vs the RS1500.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS5 and RS1500 is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The graphic here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS5 and RS1500.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same megapixels. You should expect the Pentax RS1500 to provide extra detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots more aggressively. The older ZS5 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography highlights
27
has face detect focusing
no manual focus
no external flash support
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
has manual focus
decent MP (14 megapixels)
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
Pentax RS1500 Street photography features
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (214 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography factors
31
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
slow fps (2.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
37
decent MP (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
environment sealing
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography features
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography features
63
lighter than competition (214 grams)
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
67
environment sealing
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Landscape photography information
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography information
33
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
40
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
decent MP (14MP)
environment sealing
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS5
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition (214 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone socket
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2010-06-16 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 grams (0.47 lbs) 157 grams (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 life - 260 photos
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $300 $150