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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
54
Imaging
75
Features
84
Overall
78
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic S1
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 1021g - 149 x 110 x 97mm
  • Announced February 2019
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Revealed April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3, one is a Pro Mirrorless and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S1 (24MP) and the K-3 (24MP) is relatively comparable but the S1 (Full frame) and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S1 was announced 4 years after the K-3 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S1 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a full comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the S1 matches up against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S1 over the Pentax K-3

 S1 K-3 
RevealedFebruary 2019April 2014Newer by 59 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution2100k1037kCrisper screen (+1063k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic S1

 K-3 S1 

Common features in the Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-3

 S1 K-3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen sizing3.2"3.2"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S1 enjoys outer measurements of 149mm x 110mm x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") accompanied by a weight of 1021 grams (2.25 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the S1 against the K-3.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S1 and K-3 is 54 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below should offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the S1 and K-3.

As you can see, both of these cameras enjoy the same exact resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The S1 has got the bigger sensor which is going to make achieving shallower DOF simpler. The more recent S1 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S1 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography info
85
has manual focus
above average flash sync (1/320 seconds)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S1 Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
saves RAW files
supports focus via touch
weather sealing
very good high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than average in class (1,021g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
not so great battery (380 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery pack (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S1 Travel photography information
Pentax K-3 Travel photography information
59
weather sealing
connects via bluetooth
supports focus via touch
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
not so great battery (380 per charge)
more heavy than average in class (1,021 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
60
weather proofing
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery pack (560 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S1 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography information
81
has manual focus
change lenses (Leica L mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
MP count decent (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather sealing
has double storage slots
not so great battery (380 shots)
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (560 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S1
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
32
screen is touchscreen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with microphone port
screen isn't selfie friendly
more heavy than average in class (1,021g)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic S1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S1 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DC-S1Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DC-S1 Pentax K-3
Class Pro Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2019-02-01 2014-04-10
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 35.6 x 23.8mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 847.3mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 6000 x 4000 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 225 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support Leica L Pentax KAF2
Total lenses 30 151
Crop factor 1 1.5
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2 inch 3.2 inch
Display resolution 2,100k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 5,760k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/8000s 1/8000s
Max quiet shutter speed 1/8000s -
Continuous shutter speed 9.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync 1/320s 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 60p / 150 Mbps, MP4, H.264, Linear PCM 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (can be charged with high-power laptop/tablet chargers or portable power banks) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 1021 grams (2.25 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 149 x 110 x 97mm (5.9" x 4.3" x 3.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 95 80
DXO Color Depth rating 25.2 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.5 13.4
DXO Low light rating 3333 1216
Other
Battery life 380 images 560 images
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media - Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Two Two
Cost at release $2,498 $639