Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5

Here, we will be looking at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is pretty similar but the S3 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The S3 was announced about the same time to the K-5 and they are of a similar generation. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the S3 matches up vs the K-5 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Pentax K-5. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 provides exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the S3 vs the K-5.

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K-5 is 96 and 60 respectively.

More often than not, it is hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by going over specifications. The picture underneath may give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and K-5.

To sum up, both cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S3 having a tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field harder and the Pentax K-5 will deliver more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively.