Pentax K-5 IIs vs Panasonic FZ1000

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Pentax K-5 IIs vs Panasonic FZ1000

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APS-C 369.7mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

Go in depth with our full Pentax K-5 IIs Review.
See real-world photos taken with the K-5 IIs.

1 inch 116.2mm²
20.1 megapixels
25.00mm - 400.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic FZ1000 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic FZ1000 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the FZ1000.
Compare Panasonic FZ1000 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Panasonic FZ1000 conclusion.

Succeeded by the Panasonic FZ1000 II
Compare FZ1000 vs FZ1000 II
Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Panasonic FZ1000 II

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Differences

Pentax K-5 IIs advantages over Panasonic FZ1000

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 2.41 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~0.60 vs 1.2 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-5 IIs test data on DxO Mark FZ1000 test data on DxO Mark

1,208 vs 517 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
More dynamic range

More dynamic range

Cameras with more dynamic range allow you to take photos with dramatic differences in highlight and shadow areas while retaining detail in both.

Think of a brilliant sunset on a rocky beach: Bright sunset in the background, with dark rocks in the foreground. High dynamic range means more of the extremes will be faithfully reproduced.

Dynamic range test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
K-5 IIs test data on DxO Mark FZ1000 test data on DxO Mark

14.1 vs 11.7 evs
Retain detail in highlight and shadows
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

740 vs 360 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
Thinner
73 mm vs 130 mm
Thinner
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger RAW buffer
22 vs 11 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic FZ1000 advantages over Pentax K-5 IIs

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs none
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Higher max flash sync
1/4000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Shoots 24p video
Yes vs No
Gives your movies a big-screen feel
Less shutter lag
0.10 vs 0.23 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.70x vs 0.61x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
20.1 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Longer exposure
60 vs 30 sec
Long exposures for night shots
Faster JPEG shooting
9.5 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Bigger JPEG buffer
73 vs 28 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
9.0 fps vs 6.7 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/16000 vs 1/8000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Internal flash
Both provide
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

Touchscreen
Neither provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Bluetooth
Neither provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
On-sensor phase detect
Neither provide
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Neither provide
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Read K-5 IIs User Reviews

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Read FZ1000 User Reviews

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Panasonic FZ1000

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Review Excerpt

Noticeably better sharpness than standard K-5 II; Compact yet control-rich body packs in the features; Updated autofocus system focuses in near-darkness; Fully weather-sealed; Very good dynamic range; In-body image stabilization; Dual-axis level with horizon correction.
Prone to moire, aliasing, and false color artifacts; Can seem intimidating at first; Fewer autofocus points than competitors; Doesn't take advantage of high-speed UHS-I flash cards; Movie feature set is very dated and file sizes huge.
Read our Pentax K-5 IIs Review

Extremely compact compared to interchangeable-lens camera with similar lenses; Comfortable grip and controls; Bright, far-reaching 16x zoom lens; Excellent electronic viewfinder; Versatile tilt/swivel LCD; Excellent performance; Great image quality
Body materials feel a bit plasticky; Connector compartment door is fiddly; Limited raw buffer depth; Battery life below average for class; No built-in neutral density filter
Read our Panasonic FZ1000 Review

The Competition

Compared to Sony RX10

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony RX10

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$698
1 inch

Focus peaking
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony RX10

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony RX10

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$698
1 inch

Top deck display
Integrated ND filter

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony RX10

Compared to Sony A35

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A35

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$567
APS-C

Less expensive
In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A35

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony A35

$773
1 inch

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$567
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony A35

Compared to Sony A57

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A57

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Higher effective ISO

$800
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A57

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony A57

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony A57

Compared to Sony A37

Pentax K-5 IIs

Sony A37

$497
APS-C

Lens selection
Fast startup

$600
APS-C

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Sony A37

Panasonic FZ1000

Sony A37

$773
1 inch

Tilt-swivel screen
Shoot 4K video

$600
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Sony A37

Compared to Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Pentax K-5 IIs

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$497
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$899
1 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

Compare Pentax K-5 IIs vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

Panasonic FZ1000

Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

$773
1 inch

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

$899
1 inch

Faster JPEG shooting

Compare Panasonic FZ1000 vs Leica V-LUX (Typ 114)

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