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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Introduced January 2015
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Here, we are looking at the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax RS1500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is fairly close and both cameras offer the identical sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The ZS50 was manufactured 3 years after the RS1500 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting straight to a complete comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZS50 matches up against the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax RS1500

 ZS50 RS1500 
RevealedJanuary 2015March 2011Newer by 47 months
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic ZS50

 RS1500 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax RS1500

 ZS50 RS1500 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to travel with your camera, you need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS50 has got exterior 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 RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS50 versus Pentax RS1500 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the ZS50 and the RS1500.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS50 and RS1500 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions just by researching specs. The image here will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS50 and RS1500.

All in all, both the cameras feature the identical sensor size but not the same MP. You should anticipate the Pentax RS1500 to provide you with more detail due to its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics way more aggressively. The newer ZS50 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography details
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography details
42
has manual focus
has face detect focus
exports RAW formats
can't use external flash
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
35
manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography details
Pentax RS1500 Street photography details
68
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (243g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
54
environment proof
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
43
great zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
environment proof
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS50
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
resolution not great (12MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
67
environment proof
megapixel count decent (14MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Landscape photography features
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography features
51
has manual focus
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
40
manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging highlights
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (243 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
no mic support
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone jack
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Optio RS1500
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-01-06 2011-03-16
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Min shutter speed 4 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes -
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 243 grams (0.54 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $350 $150