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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Earlier Model is Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax K-3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the ZS50 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) provide different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS50 was launched 10 months later than the K-3 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the ZS50 matches up vs the K-3 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax K-3

 ZS50 K-3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2014More recent by 10 months
Screen resolution1040k1037kClearer screen (+3k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic ZS50

 K-3 ZS50 
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-3

 ZS50 K-3 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to lug around your camera frequently, you'll need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS50 features external measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS50 vs the K-3.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and K-3 is 90 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's tough to picture the gap between sensor measurements purely by going over technical specs. The visual here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS50 and K-3.

As you can tell, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS50 because of its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The fresher ZS50 should have an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
42
has manual focus
provides face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
79
manual focus
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
68
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
Sports photography with Pentax K-3
43
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
terrible battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography features
Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
66
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
60
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
51
has manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proofing
two card slots
terrible battery (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (243g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
missing microphone port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax K-3
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-01-06 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243g (0.54 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 44 80
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 13.4
DXO Low light rating 138 1216
Other
Battery life 300 shots 560 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One Dual
Launch pricing $350 $639