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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
64
Features
70
Overall
66

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Released January 2011
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Following is a thorough review of the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S1, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The S3 was brought out 4 years prior to the K-S1 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief highlight of how the S3 scores against the K-S1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-S1

 S3 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic S3

 K-S1 S3 
IntroducedAugust 2014January 2011More modern by 44 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S1

 S3 K-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera, you have to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S1 has specifications of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have attached at that time. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the S3 against the K-S1.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K-S1 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching specifications. The image underneath will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and K-S1.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The S3 featuring a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-S1 will render greater detail having its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a little more aggressively. The more aged S3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
28
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
78
manual focus
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
73
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than others in class (558g)
very good ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
69
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.4 frames per second)
low battery pack (410 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography factors
68
lighter than others in class (117g)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than others in class (558 grams)
decent MP (20MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
low battery pack (410 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography details
38
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse function
73
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (20MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic S3
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
31
rather wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others in class (558g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
missing mic port
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4 H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 117 grams (0.26 lbs) 558 grams (1.23 lbs)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 250 photos 410 photos
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Cost at release $110 $339