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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1

Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS45
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS60
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS50 (12MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The ZS50 was announced 3 years later than the S1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a quick overview of how the ZS50 grades versus the S1 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Pentax S1

 ZS50 S1 
ReleasedJanuary 2015March 2011More recent by 47 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kSharper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic ZS50

 S1 ZS50 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax S1

 ZS50 S1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS50 comes with external measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") along with a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS50 against the S1.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS50 and S1 is 90 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very hard to see the difference in sensor measurements purely by researching technical specs. The visual underneath may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS50 and S1.

As you can tell, both cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Pentax S1 to render greater detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The younger ZS50 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Portrait photography camera
42
focusing manually
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
35
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Street photography information
Pentax S1 Street photography information
68
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
lighter than average in class (243 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Sports photography details
Pentax S1 Sports photography details
43
long zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes tracking focus
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Travel photography factors
Pentax S1 Travel photography factors
66
lighter than average in class (243 grams)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (720mm)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
64
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
51
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW files
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
42
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS50 Vlogging highlights
Pentax S1 Vlogging highlights
34
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (243 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing microphone support
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic ZS50 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS50 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 Pentax Optio S1
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ70 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2015-01-06 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
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 surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.8 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 1,040k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x -
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4s 4s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
Hot shoe
AEB
WB 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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 243 gr (0.54 lb) 157 gr (0.35 lb)
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 images 260 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $350 $174