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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax K-r front
Portability
67
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r 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
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Superseded the Panasonic ZS7
Pentax K-r
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 598g - 125 x 97 x 68mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax K-r, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS8 (14MP) and the K-r (12MP) is very comparable but the ZS8 (1/2.3") and K-r (APS-C) come with totally different sensor size.

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The ZS8 was brought out 5 months after the K-r so they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-r being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a short summary of how the ZS8 scores versus the K-r in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax K-r

 ZS8 K-r 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-r over the Panasonic ZS8

 K-r ZS8 
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-r

 ZS8 K-r 
LaunchedJuly 2011March 2011Same generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 provides outer dimensions of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax K-r has dimensions of 125mm x 97mm x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7") and a weight of 598 grams (1.32 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS8 versus Pentax K-r in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select during that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS8 compared to the K-r.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS8 and K-r is 92 and 67 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very hard to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing a spec sheet. The pic underneath may provide you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS8 and K-r.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS8 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field trickier and the Panasonic ZS8 will show extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop photos much more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-r Portrait photography features
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-r as a Street photography camera
61
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (210 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Sports photography features
Pentax K-r Sports photography features
47
great zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
low fps (2.0 frames/s)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
55
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (470 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Travel photography details
Pentax K-r Travel photography details
69
lighter than average (210g)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
quite wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
47
built-in flash
not so great battery pack (470 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-r Landscape photography information
44
quite wide (24mm)
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
65
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (470 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-r Vlogging factors
30
quite wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (210 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic socket
26
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-r Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax K-r
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax K-r
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax K-r
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-07-19 2011-03-11
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Min enhanced ISO - 100
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.00 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync, High-Speed Sync and Wireless Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (25 fps), 640 x 480 (25 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 210 grams (0.46 pounds) 598 grams (1.32 pounds)
Dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 125 x 97 x 68mm (4.9" x 3.8" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.4
DXO Low light score not tested 755
Other
Battery life 340 photos 470 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109,4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $275 $1,100