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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2016
  • Replacement is Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

The following is a in depth assessment of the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the image resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S3 was introduced 6 years earlier than the K-1 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a short introduction of how the S3 grades versus the K-1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-1

 S3 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic S3

 K-1 S3 
IntroducedFebruary 2016January 2011Newer by 62 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-1

 S3 K-1 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 enjoys outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the S3 against the K-1.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3 and K-1 is 96 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by going over a spec sheet. The image below will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and K-1.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The S3 with its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-1 will deliver greater detail using its extra 22MP. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography features
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
85
focusing manually
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Pentax K-1
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
70
screen can move to multiple angles
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
very good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-1 Sports photography advice
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (4.4 frames per second)
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-1 Travel photography advice
68
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Timelapse recording
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
environment proofing
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
low battery (760 shots)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography advice
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
81
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
saves RAW files
environment proofing
has double storage slots
low battery (760 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-1 Vlogging info
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone port
31
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-1
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-1
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 33
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7" 3.2"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/200 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 lbs) 1010 gr (2.23 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 96
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.6
DXO Low light score not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 250 images 760 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots One Dual
Launch cost $110 $1,499