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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs 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
  • Launched July 2011
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Old Model is Panasonic ZS7
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Below is a in-depth review of the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax K-5 IIs, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the K-5 IIs (16MP) is relatively similar but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS8 was released 22 months earlier than the K-5 IIs which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going through a more detailed comparison, below is a brief introduction of how the ZS8 scores versus the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 ZS8 K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic ZS8

 K-5 IIs ZS8 
IntroducedJune 2013July 2011More recent by 22 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 ZS8 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with external dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax K-5 IIs in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the ZS8 compared to the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and K-5 IIs is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its difficult to see the difference between sensor measurements merely by reading specifications. The photograph below will give you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and K-5 IIs.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The ZS8 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-5 IIs will offer more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs a little more aggressively. The older ZS8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography info
30
MP count decent (14MP)
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography factors
61
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography features
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography features
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
provides tracking focus
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography details
69
lighter than competition (210 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (24mm)
long zoom (384mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
65
weather sealing
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Landscape photography camera
44
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging factors
30
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (210 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of microphone support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax K-5 IIs
Also called as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-07-19 2013-06-04
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine FHD Prime II
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 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 760 grams (1.68 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1208
Other
Battery life 340 shots 980 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Cost at release $275 $749