Mechanochemical activation is the most commonly applied approach for improving the photocatalytic properties of commercial zinc oxide. Here we show that ZnO obtained by two-pathway decomposition of basic zinc carbonate also possesses a very good photocatalytic activity. Nanosized ZnO powders were successfully prepared by thermal and mechanochemical decomposition of Zn-5(CO3)(2)(OH)(6), precipitated under soft conditions. The precursor and final products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG/DTA), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and B.E.T method. The morphology of the ZnO was observed by SEM analysis. The optical and photocatalytic properties of the prepared zinc oxides were also investigated and compared with commercial ZnO. The band gaps of the thermal and mechanochemical obtained ZnO nanopowders are 3.22 and 3.04 eV, respectively. The degree of decomposition of Malachite Green under UV and visible irradiations in the presence of ZnO prepared by both methods reached levels above 90%. Better catalytic activity was found for the visible region. It was established that the process follows second order kinetics. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.