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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) possess different sensor size.

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The S3 was revealed 4 years earlier than the K-3 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the S3 matches up against the K-3 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-3

 S3 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic S3

 K-3 S3 
LaunchedApril 2014January 2011More modern by 39 months
Manual focus Very precise focus
Display dimension3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-3

 S3 K-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic S3 enjoys exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S3 against the K-3.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K-3 is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very difficult to visualize the difference between sensor sizes merely by reading specifications. The picture here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and K-3.

To sum up, both of those cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S3 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF harder and the Pentax K-3 will offer greater detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
28
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
35
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
low battery pack (560 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
68
lighter than others (117g)
good megapixels (14MP)
flash built-in
quite wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
weather sealing
resolution is good (24MP)
has built in flash
low battery pack (560 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography features
38
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
low battery pack (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
31
quite wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external microphone support
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-3
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3.2"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction 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 synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 800g (1.76 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 560 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 2
Price at release $110 $639