Clicky

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Successor is Panasonic ZS60
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax K-x, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is very similar but the ZS50 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

The ZS50 was revealed 5 years after the K-x which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go into a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple overview of how the ZS50 scores versus the K-x with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax K-x

 ZS50 K-x 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015December 2009More modern by 62 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kCrisper display (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic ZS50

 K-x ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-x

 ZS50 K-x 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera often, you will have to factor in its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS50 has got outside 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-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax K-x in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS50 against the K-x.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS50 and K-x is 90 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading specs. The pic below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS50 and K-x.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but not the same sensor sizes. The ZS50 contains the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging. The fresher ZS50 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS50
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
42
manual focus
has face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
63
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS50
Street photography with Pentax K-x
68
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (243g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
screen is fixed
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking autofocus
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good battery life (1,900 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (5.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12MP)
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography information
Pentax K-x Travel photography information
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
low MP (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
54
good battery life (1,900 CIPA)
has built in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-x Landscape photography factors
51
manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (1,900 shots)
small screen (2.7")
MP count low (12MP)
does not have Timelapse mode
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-x Vlogging advice
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of external mic port
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax K-x
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2015-01-06 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 96%
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 10.0 frames per second 5.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.40 m 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 243 grams (0.54 lb) 580 grams (1.28 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 44 72
DXO Color Depth rating 20.0 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.2 12.5
DXO Low light rating 138 811
Other
Battery life 300 photographs 1900 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at release $350 $600