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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-5.6) lens
  • 117g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Announced January 2011
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Introduced February 2018
  • Replaced the Pentax K-1
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Following is a extended review of the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K-1 II, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap among the image resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K-1 II (Full frame) have totally different sensor size.

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The S3 was launched 8 years earlier than the K-1 II which is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a brief summation of how the S3 matches up vs the K-1 II with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-1 II

 S3 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic S3

 K-1 II S3 
IntroducedFebruary 2018January 2011More modern by 86 months
Manually focus Very exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-1 II

 S3 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither comes with Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you're going to have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 comes with external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 II has specifications of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K-1 II in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. Underneath is a front view measurement comparison of the S3 versus the K-1 II.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K-1 II is 96 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes merely by viewing specs. The pic underneath should offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and K-1 II.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S3 due to its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-1 II will result in extra detail utilizing its extra 22MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-1 II
28
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
86
has manual focus
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 II as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
70
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
very good ISO range (819,200)
heavier than competition (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S3
Sports photography with Pentax K-1 II
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
max frames per second low (4.4 fps)
terrible battery life (670 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography details
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography details
68
lighter than competition (117 grams)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not have a selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
53
environment sealing
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
terrible battery life (670 CIPA)
heavier than competition (1,010 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography information
38
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
82
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
fantastic megapixels (36 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (819,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery life (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging factors
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone socket
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (1,010g)
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2011-01-05 2018-02-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 36MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 7360 x 4912
Highest native ISO 6400 819200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 11 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF4
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display diagonal 2.7" 3.2"
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 4.4 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m no built-in flash
Flash modes 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
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/200 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 lbs) 1010 grams (2.23 lbs)
Physical 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 Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 670 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 2
Price at release $110 $1,737