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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
91
Imaging
35
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS7
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 218g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • New Model is Panasonic ZS8
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS7 (12MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the ZS7 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS7 was announced 4 years before the K-S1 which is quite a big difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS7 scores against the K-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax K-S1

 ZS7 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic ZS7

 K-S1 ZS7 
IntroducedAugust 2014July 2011Newer by 37 months
Manual focus Dial exact focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax K-S1

 ZS7 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS7 has got exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) and the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the ZS7 against the K-S1.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS7 and K-S1 is 91 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is tough to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by checking specs. The image underneath will give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS7 and K-S1.

All in all, both of those cameras posses different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The ZS7 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-S1 will give extra detail with its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged ZS7 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS7
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
21
no manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
77
focusing manually
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Street photography info
Pentax K-S1 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
great ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS7
Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
27
image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking focus
comes with phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery life (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Travel photography camera
63
lighter than competition (218 grams)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
60
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
bad battery life (410 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS7
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S1
38
really wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
73
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
delivers RAW formats
bad battery life (410 per charge)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Vlogging details
Pentax K-S1 Vlogging details
30
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (218g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no microphone support
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Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax K-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax K-S1
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-19 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine HD II Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 20MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format AVCHD Lite H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 grams (0.48 pounds) 558 grams (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life - 410 shots
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch pricing $350 $339