Clicky

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Released July 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Let's look more closely at the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly similar but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

The ZS8 was unveiled 22 months later than the K-7 making them a generation apart from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS8 matches up vs the K-7 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax K-7

 ZS8 K-7 
ReleasedJuly 2011October 2009Fresher by 22 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic ZS8

 K-7 ZS8 
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-7

 ZS8 K-7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch display Neither comes with Touch display

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 comes with outside measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the ZS8 against the K-7.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and K-7 is 92 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizing only by going over technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and K-7.

As you have seen, both the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZS8 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-7 will offer extra detail having an extra 1MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics more aggressively. The fresher ZS8 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography details
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
Street photography with Pentax K-7
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
no moving screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Sports photography camera
47
excellent zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
provides tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-7 Travel photography factors
69
lighter than competition in class (210 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great zoom (384mm)
missing Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
environment proof
megapixel count decent (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
44
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Timelapse function
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging details
Pentax K-7 Vlogging details
30
decently wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (210g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax K-7
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax K-7
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-07-19 2009-10-02
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 2000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
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 -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 grams (0.46 lb) 750 grams (1.65 lb)
Physical 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 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life 340 photographs 980 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $275 $599