• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1 inch 116.2mm2
  • 20.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Panasonic ZS100

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.07 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
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 300 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Top deck display
    Yes vs No
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
  • 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

Panasonic ZS100 advantages over Pentax K-7

  • Focus peaking
    Peaker vs Non-peaker
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs No
    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
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • More dynamic range
    12.5 vs 10.6 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Thinner
    44 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 15 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    309g vs 758g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    20.1 vs 14.6 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.9 fps vs 5.2 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    Unlimited vs 20 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (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
  • Higher extended ISO
    25600 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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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Buy the Panasonic ZS100

Review Excerpt

  • Compact camera body; versatile 10x zoom lens; relatively good high ISO performance; fast autofocus; many good 4K video and photo features.

  • Soft lens at longer focal lengths; no tilting display; small electronic viewfinder; slippery finish on the camera body.

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen
Panasonic ZS100
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7
Canon T2i
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup
Panasonic ZS100
Canon T2i
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7
Sony A55
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Panasonic ZS100
Sony A55
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony RX100 VI

Pentax K-7
Sony RX100 VI
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VI
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $949
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen

Compared to Sony RX100 VII

Pentax K-7
Sony RX100 VII
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Shoot 4K video
Panasonic ZS100
Sony RX100 VII
  • $473
  • 1 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $1298
  • 1 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Tiltable Screen
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