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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Announced January 2015
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS60
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-5, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS50 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the ZS50 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS50 was manufactured 4 years later than the K-5 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS50 scores vs the K-5 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax K-5

 ZS50 K-5 
ReleasedJanuary 2015December 2010Fresher by 50 months
Display resolution1040k921kCrisper display (+119k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic ZS50

 K-5 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-5

 ZS50 K-5 
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS50 features outer dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-5 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS50 vs the K-5.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and K-5 is 90 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is difficult to see the difference between sensor sizing only by reviewing technical specs. The graphic underneath should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS50 and K-5.

As you can tell, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS50 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-5 will offer greater detail due to its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The newer ZS50 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography details
42
has manual focus
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
73
manual focus
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography details
Pentax K-5 Street photography details
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors (243g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
43
excellent zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking autofocus
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
78
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
66
lighter than competitors (243 grams)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather proof
decent MP (16MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography info
51
has manual focus
really wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
34
really wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors (243g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic port
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax K-5
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax K-5
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max boosted ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 1,040 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 243 grams (0.54 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score 44 82
DXO Color Depth score 20.0 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 14.1
DXO Low light score 138 1162
Other
Battery life 300 shots 980 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $350 $800