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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II 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
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS60
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

On this page, we will be looking at the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-3 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the ZS50 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS50 was manufactured 3 months prior to the K-3 II and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the ZS50 grades against the K-3 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax K-3 II

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

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic ZS50

 K-3 II ZS50 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-3 II

 ZS50 K-3 II 
LaunchedJanuary 2015April 2015Same age
Focus manually Very accurate focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS50 provides exterior measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") having a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 II has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the ZS50 and the K-3 II.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS50 and K-3 II is 90 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by viewing technical specs. The image underneath should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS50 and K-3 II.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS50 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-3 II will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-3 II Portrait photography factors
42
you can focus manually
includes face detection focus
saves RAW files
external flash not possible
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
79
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
68
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
lighter than others (243g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography advice
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking autofocus
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
bad battery (720 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography details
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography details
66
lighter than others (243g)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
MP count low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
weather proofing
good megapixels (24MP)
bad battery (720 CIPA)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
51
you can focus manually
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
saves RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
78
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
bad battery (720 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
34
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than others (243g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has external mic socket
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax K-3 II
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2015-04-23
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor 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
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
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) -
Max aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3.2"
Resolution of display 1,040k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 10.0fps 8.3fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m no built-in flash
Flash settings 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 (available with dedicated external flash)
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment 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 23.6
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 13.6
DXO Low light rating 138 1106
Other
Battery life 300 images 720 images
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Retail pricing $350 $829