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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Replacement is Panasonic ZS60
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the ZS50 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS50 was brought out 13 months before the K-1 which makes them a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS50 scores against the K-1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax K-1

 ZS50 K-1 
Screen resolution1040k1037kCrisper screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic ZS50

 K-1 ZS50 
IntroducedFebruary 2016January 2015Fresher by 13 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-1

 ZS50 K-1 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you will have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS50 has got exterior dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has measurements of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Underneath is a front view overall size comparison of the ZS50 and the K-1.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS50 and K-1 is 90 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing specs. The photograph here might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS50 and K-1.

All in all, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS50 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail having its extra 24 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The older ZS50 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography features
42
focusing manually
includes face detection focus
delivers RAW files
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
85
you can focus manually
resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography information
Pentax K-1 Street photography information
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
70
screen can move to multiple angles
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW files
weather proof
good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-1 Sports photography highlights
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
has phase detect autofocus
max fps low (4.4 frames per second)
terrible battery pack (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
Travel photography with Pentax K-1
66
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
53
weather proof
resolution is high (36MP)
terrible battery pack (760 per charge)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
51
focusing manually
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
81
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (204,800)
supports RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
terrible battery pack (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 Vlogging advice
34
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax K-1
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,040 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 243 gr (0.54 pounds) 1010 gr (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 44 96
DXO Color Depth score 20.0 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 14.6
DXO Low light score 138 3280
Other
Battery life 300 images 760 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots Single 2
Price at release $350 $1,499