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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5

Portability
92
Imaging
35
Features
30
Overall
33
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 front
 
Pentax X-5 front
Portability
65
Imaging
39
Features
50
Overall
43

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ8
Pentax X-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 22-580mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 595g - 119 x 86 x 107mm
  • Announced August 2012
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the ZS5 (12MP) and X-5 (16MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS5 was launched 3 years before the X-5 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X-5 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before diving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple summary of how the ZS5 grades against the X-5 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS5 over the Pentax X-5

 ZS5 X-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax X-5 over the Panasonic ZS5

 X-5 ZS5 
AnnouncedAugust 2012June 2010More recent by 26 months
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax X-5

 ZS5 X-5 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera, you should take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS5 offers external measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 214 grams (0.47 lbs) and the Pentax X-5 has dimensions of 119mm x 86mm x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2") with a weight of 595 grams (1.31 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is a front view scale comparison of the ZS5 against the X-5.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS5 and X-5 is 92 and 65 respectively.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by checking out specifications. The graphic underneath will help provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS5 and X-5.

Plainly, both of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Pentax X-5 to provide greater detail utilizing its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop photos more aggressively. The older ZS5 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Portrait photography advice
Pentax X-5 Portrait photography advice
27
supports face detect autofocus
focusing manually not possible
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
43
has manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
offers face detection focusing
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Street photography details
Pentax X-5 Street photography details
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (214 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
50
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 Sports photography details
Pentax X-5 Sports photography details
31
image stabilization (Optical)
supports tracking focus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
52
incredible zoom range (22-580mm 26.4 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16MP)
offers tracking autofocus
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS5
Travel photography with Pentax X-5
63
lighter than others (214 grams)
flash built-in
quite wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
no Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
decent MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (22mm)
great reach (580mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition in class (595 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax X-5 as a Landscape photography camera
33
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7 inch)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
pretty wide (22mm)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X-5 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect autofocus
lighter than others (214 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
26
pretty wide (22mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
offers face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
heavier than competition in class (595g)
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Panasonic ZS5 vs Pentax X-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS5 and Pentax X-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5Pentax X-5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS5 Pentax X-5
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ8 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Launched 2010-06-16 2012-08-22
Body design Compact SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4608 x 3456
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) 22-580mm (26.4x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.9
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 230k dot
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 10.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 214g (0.47 lb) 595g (1.31 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 32mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 119 x 86 x 107mm (4.7" x 3.4" x 4.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 330 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Launch cost $300 $230