Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70
96 Imaging
37 Features
24 Overall
31


62 Imaging
67 Features
81 Overall
72
Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 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
- Revealed January 2011
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 102400
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
- Launched June 2016
- Successor is Pentax KF

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K-70, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K-70 (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

The S3 was announced 6 years before the K-70 which is quite a significant gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the S3 scores versus the K-70 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Pentax K-70. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Pentax K-70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-70
S3 | K-70 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Panasonic S3
K-70 | S3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | June 2016 | ![]() | January 2011 | More modern by 66 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | Very precise focus | ||
Screen type | Fully Articulated | ![]() | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+691k dot) |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-70
S3 | K-70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Touch screen | ![]() | No Touch screen |
Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry around your camera, you need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic S3 features external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax K-70 has measurements of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") and a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K-70 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S3 against the K-70.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K-70 is 96 and 62 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it is very tough to visualize the gap between sensor sizes just by reading specifications. The pic here might give you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and K-70.
Plainly, both the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S3 having a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-70 will offer greater detail with its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged S3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Pentax K-70 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 | Pentax K-70 |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Entry-Level DSLR |
Revealed | 2011-01-05 | 2016-06-08 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine IV | PRIME MII |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor measurements | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Highest Possible resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 6000 x 4000 |
Maximum native ISO | 6400 | 102400 |
Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW format | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Single autofocus | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 28-112mm (4.0x) | - |
Largest aperture | f/3.1-5.6 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
Screen diagonal | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Resolution of screen | 230k dots | 921k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch screen | ||
Screen tech | TFT LCD | - |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.63x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/6000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 2.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 3.30 m | 12.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash settings | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction | Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment exposure | ||
Average exposure | ||
Spot exposure | ||
Partial exposure | ||
AF area exposure | ||
Center weighted exposure | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
Maximum video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | MPEG-4 | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Microphone support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Built-In |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 117 grams (0.26 lb) | 688 grams (1.52 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") | 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery life | 250 pictures | 410 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible) |
Card slots | One | One |
Cost at release | $110 | $649 |