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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 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
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced December 2010
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-7
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-5

 S3 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic S3

 K-5 S3 
Manually focus More accurate focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-5

 S3 K-5 
AnnouncedJanuary 2011December 2010Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Missing Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

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

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

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.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography features
28
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Sports photography camera
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
78
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
good megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not offer selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 Landscape photography highlights
38
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse mode
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging information
Pentax K-5 Vlogging information
31
fairly wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external mic support
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-5
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 51200
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 740g (1.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 980 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Retail cost $110 $800