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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 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
  • Launched January 2015
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS60
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Announced March 2009
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 Overview

In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax P70, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the P70 (12MP) is pretty close and they use the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS50 was launched 5 years later than the P70 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZS50 matches up vs the P70 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax P70

 ZS50 P70 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015March 2009More recent by 72 months
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic ZS50

 P70 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax P70

 ZS50 P70 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS50 offers physical dimensions of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has specifications of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax P70 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you select during that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS50 versus the P70.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS50 and P70 is 90 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to see the gap in sensor measurements merely by viewing specs. The photograph here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS50 and P70.

All in all, both the cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same MP and you should expect comparable quality of photos though you need to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The newer ZS50 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography details
Pentax P70 Portrait photography details
42
manual focus
features face detect focusing
exports RAW files
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
27
you can focus manually
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Street photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Street photography camera
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition (243g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
47
no articulating screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
heavier than others in class (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography advice
Pentax P70 Sports photography advice
43
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features tracking focus
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
low MP (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
Travel photography with Pentax P70
66
lighter than competition (243 grams)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (24mm)
very long zoom (720mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
56
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse mode
heavier than others in class (155 grams)
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
Landscape photography with Pentax P70
51
manual focus
reasonably wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW files
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
32
you can focus manually
decently wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
no image stabilization
low MP (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging highlights
Pentax P70 Vlogging highlights
34
reasonably wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (243 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have mic jack
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
heavier than others in class (155g)
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Optio P70
Other name Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Launched 2015-01-06 2009-03-02
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 243 gr (0.54 lbs) 155 gr (0.34 lbs)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 44 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 20.0 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.2 not tested
DXO Low light score 138 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 photographs -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $350 $200