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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP

Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
39
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Panasonic ZS8
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ18
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS7
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Launched January 2017
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and KP (24MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and KP (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The ZS8 was introduced 6 years prior to the KP and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the ZS8 grades against the KP when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS8 over the Pentax KP

 ZS8 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Panasonic ZS8

 KP ZS8 
LaunchedJanuary 2017July 2011Fresher by 67 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax KP

 ZS8 KP 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen measurement
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you'll need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic ZS8 provides physical measurements 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 KP has dimensions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") along with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view scale comparison of the ZS8 and the KP.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and KP is 92 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizing just by looking at specs. The visual here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS8 and KP.

As you can plainly see, the 2 cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS8 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax KP will resolve more detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively. The older ZS8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Portrait photography details
Pentax KP Portrait photography details
30
megapixel count good (14MP)
no manual focus
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
80
focusing manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS8
Street photography with Pentax KP
61
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
76
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
good high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic ZS8
Sports photography with Pentax KP
47
amazing zoom range (24-384mm 16.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
supports tracking autofocus
max fps low (2.0 frames per second)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet shutter (1/24,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
weather proofing
bad battery power (390 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS8
Travel photography with Pentax KP
69
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (24mm)
great reach (384mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
61
weather proofing
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery power (390 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Landscape photography details
Pentax KP Landscape photography details
44
fairly wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
77
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
exports RAW files
weather proofing
bad battery power (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS8 Vlogging advice
Pentax KP Vlogging advice
30
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (210 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
supports face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS8 and Pentax KP
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8Pentax KP
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 Pentax KP
Alternate name Lumix DMC-TZ18 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-07-19 2017-01-26
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine FHD PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 819200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-384mm (16.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/6000 secs
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/24000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.00 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
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 210g (0.46 lb) 703g (1.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 105 x 58 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 340 photos 390 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $275 $747