Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic ZS100

Pentax K-5 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

• 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 2.3 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 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark
  1,162 vs 559 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 test data on DxO Mark ZS100 test data on DxO Mark
  14.1 vs 12.5 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 300 shots
  Capture more photos
• Top deck display
  Yes vs No
  Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
• External Mic Jack
  Jack vs No jack
  Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
• Hot shoe
  Hot shoe vs None
  Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
• More viewfinder magnification
  0.61x vs 0.46x
  Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
• Bigger RAW buffer
  23 vs 14 shots
  Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
• Higher extended ISO
  51200 vs 25600 ISO
  Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility