Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(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
(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
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.
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created ImagesThe 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.
Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Pentax K-500. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-500
S3 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic S3
K-500 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | November 2013 | January 2011 | More modern by 35 months | |
Manually focus | Dial precise focus | |||
Screen size | 3" | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") | |
Screen resolution | 921k | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-500
S3 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | 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.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.
Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3 and K-500 is 96 and 64 respectively.
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 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Pentax 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 |