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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS8
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to look closer at the Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS7 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the ZS7 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS7 was unveiled 22 months earlier than the K-5 II which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a thorough comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the ZS7 matches up vs the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax K-5 II

 ZS7 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic ZS7

 K-5 II ZS7 
LaunchedJune 2013July 2011Newer by 22 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen resolution921k460kClearer screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax K-5 II

 ZS7 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

If you're looking to travel with your camera often, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS7 comes with exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the ZS7 against the K-5 II.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS7 and K-5 II is 91 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to see the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through specs. The image below might provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS7 and K-5 II.

All in all, both of the cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS7 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-5 II will produce extra detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots far more aggressively. The more aged ZS7 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Portrait photography highlights
21
manual focus not available
external flash not possible
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS7
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
27
built in image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has tracking autofocus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography information
Pentax K-5 II Travel photography information
63
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
missing Time Lapse function
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
weather proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
38
decently wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging details
30
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external microphone port
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax K-5 II
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-07-19 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218g (0.48 lbs) 760g (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at release $350 $830