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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Revealed July 2011
  • Alternative Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 2012
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-01, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is pretty close but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The ZS8 was released 10 months prior to the K-01 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the ZS8 matches up vs the K-01 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax K-01

 ZS8 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic ZS8

 K-01 ZS8 
ReleasedMay 2012July 2011Fresher by 10 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-01

 ZS8 K-01 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 features external measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") along with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-01 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at that time. Following is the front view over all size comparison of the ZS8 versus the K-01.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the ZS8 and K-01 is 92 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very hard to visualise the difference in sensor sizing merely by researching technical specs. The photograph below will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and K-01.

As you have seen, both of those cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS8 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-01 will provide you with more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The older ZS8 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS8
Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
30
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography information
Pentax K-01 Street photography information
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is fixed
heavier than average (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Sports photography highlights
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery life (540 CIPA)
slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Travel photography highlights
69
lighter than competition (210g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
good battery life (540 shots)
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
heavier than average (561 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS8
Landscape photography with Pentax K-01
44
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse function
80
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
good battery life (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic ZS8
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
30
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic support
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than average (561g)
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax K-01
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax K-01
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2011-07-19 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 grams (0.46 lb) 561 grams (1.24 lb)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 340 images 540 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $275 $899