Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-50

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-50, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the S3 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The S3 was brought out 3 years before the K-50 which is quite a serious gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the S3 scores vs the K-50 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Pentax K-50. The entire galleries are provided at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Pentax K-50 Gallery.

For those who are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S3 has exterior measurements 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-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you have attached during that time. Here is a front view overall size comparison of the S3 vs the K-50.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K-50 is 96 and 63 respectively.

Often, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The picture here will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and K-50.

As you can plainly see, both the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S3 due to its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-50 will give you more detail having its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.