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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-384mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 210g - 105 x 58 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Replaced the Panasonic ZS7
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • New Model is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

In this write-up, we will be contrasting the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax K-1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS8 was introduced 5 years prior to the K-1 and that is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a simple synopsis of how the ZS8 matches up against the K-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax K-1

 ZS8 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic ZS8

 K-1 ZS8 
RevealedFebruary 2016July 2011More recent by 55 months
Focus manually Very precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen sizing3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k230kCrisper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-1

 ZS8 K-1 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you're going to have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS8 enjoys external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") along with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax K-1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Below is the front view dimensions comparison of the ZS8 and the K-1.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and K-1 is 92 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to imagine the difference between sensor measurements only by going over technical specs. The visual below might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and K-1.

As you have seen, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS8 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-1 will deliver extra detail using its extra 22MP. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs far more aggressively. The older ZS8 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
85
has manual focus
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
70
fully articulated screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
above average ISO range (204,800)
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography info
Pentax K-1 Sports photography info
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
max frames per second low (2.0 fps)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
offers tracking focus
weather proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames per second)
not so great battery pack (760 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
69
lighter than competition (210g)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
53
weather proofing
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
not so great battery pack (760 shots)
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography factors
44
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
81
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is fantastic (36MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (204,800)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
two card slots
not so great battery pack (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging features
Pentax K-1 Vlogging features
30
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic port
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone socket
screen is not selfie friendly
more heavy than competitors (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax K-1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax K-1
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-07-19 2016-02-17
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 3" 3.2"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 4.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 760 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Card slots Single Two
Price at release $275 $1,499