Clicky

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
91
Imaging
36
Features
33
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ10
  • Newer Model is Panasonic ZS8
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
  • Introduced August 2005
Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Here is a in-depth review of the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the ZS7 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS7 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

The ZS7 was launched 5 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a short overview of how the ZS7 matches up versus the ist DS2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS7 over the Pentax ist DS2

 ZS7 ist DS2 
IntroducedJuly 2011August 2005Fresher by 72 months
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution460k210kClearer display (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic ZS7

 ist DS2 ZS7 
Manually focus Very accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax ist DS2

 ZS7 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch display Neither has Touch display

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry your camera often, you will need to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS7 has exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 218 grams (0.48 lbs) while 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).

Examine the Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the ZS7 against the ist DS2.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS7 and ist DS2 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, its tough to see the gap between sensor sizing merely by reading through technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS7 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS7 due to its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic ZS7 will give more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The more modern ZS7 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography details
21
no manual focus
no external flash support
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
51
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition (605g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Sports photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography information
28
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
39
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 Travel photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography details
63
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
has built in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
does not feature selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than competition (605g)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
MP count low (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS7 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Landscape photography camera
38
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse recording
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS7
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
30
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (218 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of microphone jack
22
lighter than competition (605g)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great ( resolution)
does not have microphone jack
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Panasonic ZS7 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS7 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Pentax ist DS2
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ10 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-19 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.30 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format AVCHD Lite -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 218 gr (0.48 lb) 605 gr (1.33 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch pricing $350 -