Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic ZS70

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic ZS70

Leave Feedback

APS-C 372.1mm²
16.3 megapixels
ISO 100 - 12,800

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

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
20.3 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Panasonic ZS70 Review.
How does it shoot? Panasonic ZS70 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the ZS70.

Succeeded by the Pentax K-5 II
Compare K-5 vs K-5 II

Succeeded by the Panasonic ZS80
Compare ZS70 vs ZS80

Compare PENTAX K-5 II vs PANASONIC ZS80

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-5 advantages over Panasonic ZS70

Larger sensor
APS-C vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.81 vs 1.19 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
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 380 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
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Bigger RAW buffer
23 vs 10 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Higher extended ISO
51200 vs 6400 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Panasonic ZS70 advantages over Pentax K-5

Less expensive
$298 vs $800
Save money for lenses or accessories
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
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
In-camera panoramas
Yes vs No
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Tiltable Screen
Tiltable vs Fixed
Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
Built-in Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi vs None
Share your photos wirelessly
Thinner
41 mm vs 73 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/180 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
8 years vs 14 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
More pixels
20.3 vs 16.3 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Shoots 60p video
Yes vs No
A faster framerate can give you more editing options
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Faster JPEG shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.5 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
10.0 fps vs 6.5 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.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

Tilt-swivel screen
Neither provide
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
NFC
Neither provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
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

Amazon
Adorama
Read K-5 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read ZS70 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-5

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-55mm Lens

All K-5 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS70

Panasonic ZS70 (Black)

Panasonic ZS70 (Black)
Panasonic ZS70 (Silver)

All ZS70 Deals

Review Excerpt

Excellent high ISO performance, one of the best APS-C sensors yet; 6.5 fps burst mode has very good buffer depths; Weather, dust, and cold resistant; In-body Shake Reduction corrects not only horizontal / vertical, but also rotational motion.
Default saturation and contrast a bit high; Auto white balance too warm in tungsten light; Fewer AF points than main competitors; Only a single card slot, and no UHS-I card support (slow buffer clearing).
Read our Pentax K-5 Full Review

We haven’t finished our review of the Panasonic ZS70, but we have extensive sample photos and a hands-on report.
Read our Panasonic ZS70 Shooter's Report

The Competition

Compared to Canon T3i

Pentax K-5

Canon T3i

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon T3i

Panasonic ZS70

Canon T3i

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$549
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Canon T3i

Compared to Nikon D5100

Pentax K-5

Nikon D5100

$800
APS-C

In-Camera Image Stabilization
Top deck display

$650
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Nikon D5100

Panasonic ZS70

Nikon D5100

$348
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$650
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Nikon D5100

Compared to Pentax K-30

Pentax K-5

Pentax K-30

$800
APS-C

Fast startup
Longer stills battery life

$599
APS-C

Focus peaking
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Pentax K-30

Panasonic ZS70

Pentax K-30

$348
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$599
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Pentax K-30

Compared to Canon SX730 HS

Pentax K-5

Canon SX730 HS

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Eye-level viewfinder

$399
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Canon SX730 HS

Panasonic ZS70

Canon SX730 HS

$348
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Less expensive

$399
1/2.3 inch

NFC
Built-in Bluetooth

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Canon SX730 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS80

Pentax K-5

Panasonic ZS80

$800
APS-C

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$398
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

Compare Pentax K-5 vs Panasonic ZS80

Panasonic ZS70

Panasonic ZS80

$348
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

$398
1/2.3 inch

Built-in Bluetooth
Shoots 24p video

Compare Panasonic ZS70 vs Panasonic ZS80

Compare Other Cameras?