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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q Key Specs

Panasonic ZS5
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 214g - 103 x 60 x 32mm
  • Released June 2010
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Released June 2011
  • Successor is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q Overview

Below, we are contrasting the Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS5 (12MP) and the Q (12MP) is fairly comparable and they possess the exact same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was revealed 12 months earlier than the Q so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief view of how the ZS5 grades versus the Q with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax Q

 ZS5 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic ZS5

 Q ZS5 
ReleasedJune 2011June 2010More modern by 12 months
Focus manually Very exact focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax Q

 ZS5 Q 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS5 enjoys physical dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") along with a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS5 and the Q.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS5 and Q is 92 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specifications. The pic here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS5 and Q.

To sum up, the 2 cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements and the exact same resolution so you should expect comparable quality of photographs although you really should factor the production date of the cameras into account. The more aged ZS5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS5
Portrait photography with Pentax Q
27
has face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
45
focusing manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000s)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography features
Pentax Q Street photography features
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (214g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (180g)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q as a Sports photography camera
31
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
maximum shutter speed is a little low (1/1,300s)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking autofocus
slow frames per second (2.0 fps)
low MP (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Travel photography advice
Pentax Q Travel photography advice
63
lighter than average (214g)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
57
lighter than competition (180 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (230 shots)
low MP (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS5
Landscape photography with Pentax Q
33
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
51
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
nice screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
delivers RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery life (230 shots)
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Vlogging details
Pentax Q Vlogging details
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focusing
lighter than average (214g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone socket
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (180g)
does not offer selfie friendly display
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax Q
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax Q
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2010-06-16 2011-06-23
Physical type Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 125
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 2.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/2000 seconds
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) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 214 gr (0.47 lbs) 180 gr (0.40 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $300 $695