Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

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.

The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 & Pentax K-5 IIs. The complete galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery & Pentax K-5 IIs Gallery.

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.

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.

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

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.