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Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
88
Imaging
44
Features
63
Overall
51
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS60
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 282g - 112 x 64 x 38mm
  • Revealed January 2016
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ80
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS50
  • Renewed by Panasonic ZS70
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic ZS60 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS60 (18MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS60 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) have different sensor measurements.

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The ZS60 was introduced 10 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS60 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the ZS60 grades versus the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS60 over the Pentax ist DS2

 ZS60 ist DS2 
LaunchedJanuary 2016August 2005More recent by 127 months
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1040k210kSharper display (+830k dot)
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic ZS60

 ist DS2 ZS60 

Common features in the Panasonic ZS60 and Pentax ist DS2

 ZS60 ist DS2 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS60 provides exterior measurements of 112mm x 64mm x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") accompanied by a weight of 282 grams (0.62 lbs) and the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS60 and Pentax ist DS2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you select at that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS60 against the ist DS2.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS60 and ist DS2 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's hard to picture the contrast in sensor measurements simply by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS60 and ist DS2.

As you can see, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The ZS60 with its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Panasonic ZS60 will produce greater detail using its extra 12MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images more aggressively. The more modern ZS60 provides a benefit in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS60 Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography info
53
focusing manually
decent megapixels (18MP)
has face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
can't use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
51
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS60 Street photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography factors
71
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
supports touch focus
lighter than competitors in class (282g)
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than competition (605g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS60 Sports photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
57
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
has tracking focus
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
no liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS60 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
74
lighter than competitors in class (282 grams)
supports touch focus
decent megapixels (18 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long reach (720mm)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than competition (605g)
has built in flash
no Timelapse mode
low MP (6 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS60
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
59
focusing manually
rather wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (18MP)
supports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
47
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.5")
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS60 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Vlogging camera
35
rather wide (24mm)
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (282g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic jack
22
lighter than competition (605g)
display isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great ( pxls)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS60 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS60 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS60 Pentax ist DS2
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ80 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2016-01-05 2005-08-22
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 18MP 6MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4896 x 3672 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 49 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 2.5 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Optical
Viewfinder resolution 1,166k dots -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.46x 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Fastest quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter rate 10.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m (at Auto ISO) -
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 -
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 282g (0.62 lb) 605g (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 112 x 64 x 38mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.5") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 37 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 19.3 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 10.6 not tested
DXO Low light score 109 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 pictures -
Battery type Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, 3 shots / 10 secs) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $248 -