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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively close but the S3 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The S3 was revealed 3 years prior to the K-500 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a detailed comparison, here is a quick overview of how the S3 grades versus the K-500 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-500

 S3 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic S3

 K-500 S3 
IntroducedNovember 2013January 2011More modern by 35 months
Manually focus Dial precise focus
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-500

 S3 K-500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Neither contains Touch screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S3 has got physical dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have at the time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the S3 vs the K-500.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3 and K-500 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizes just by viewing specifications. The pic underneath will provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and K-500.

Plainly, each of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S3 using its smaller sensor will make shooting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-500 will render more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Portrait photography camera
28
megapixel count good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Pentax K-500
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
screen is fixed
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good ISO range (51,600)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography information
Pentax K-500 Sports photography information
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
good battery pack (710 CIPA)
comes with phase detect auto focus
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
68
lighter than competition in class (117 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
67
good battery pack (710 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography highlights
38
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
79
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (117g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not have selfie friendly screen
does not have microphone jack
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-500
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2013-11-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor 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
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 3.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lb) 646g (1.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 250 photos 710 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
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
Storage slots One One
Launch price $110 $600