• 1/2.35 inch 27.3mm2
  • 8.0 megapixels
  • 36.00mm - 180.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 480.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax M50 advantages over Panasonic ZS45

  • Less expensive
    $230 vs $300 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.85 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Thinner
    23 mm vs 32 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    116g vs 249g
    Lighter weight

Panasonic ZS45 advantages over Pentax M50

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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
  • More telephoto lens reach
    480 mm vs 180 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 350 vs 210 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Newer
    10 years vs 17 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    1040k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    16.1 vs 8.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 36 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Longer exposure
    30 vs 4 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • RAW file ability
    Neither provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • 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
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Hot shoe
    Neither provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Neither provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax M50

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic ZS45 (White)
  • Panasonic ZS45 (White)
  • Panasonic ZS45 (Black)
All ZS45 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Ricoh R50

Pentax M50
Ricoh R50
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Longer exposure
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Pentax M50 vs Ricoh R50

Panasonic ZS45
Ricoh R50
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $250
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Ricoh R50

Compared to Nikon S560

Pentax M50
Nikon S560
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Manual focus
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More pixels

Compare Pentax M50 vs Nikon S560

Panasonic ZS45
Nikon S560
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $250
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Nikon S560

Compared to Olympus FE-370

Pentax M50
Olympus FE-370
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Manual focus
  • Higher extended ISO
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Pentax M50 vs Olympus FE-370

Panasonic ZS45
Olympus FE-370
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $136
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Olympus FE-370

Compared to Sony H90

Pentax M50
Sony H90
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • More telephoto lens reach

Compare Pentax M50 vs Sony H90

Panasonic ZS45
Sony H90
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Sony H90

Compared to Panasonic ZS35

Pentax M50
Panasonic ZS35
  • $140
  • 1/2.35 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax M50 vs Panasonic ZS35

Panasonic ZS45
Panasonic ZS35
  • $199
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Manual focus
  • More dots on screen
  • $300
  • 1/2.33 inch

Compare Panasonic ZS45 vs Panasonic ZS35

Compare Other Cameras?