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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Key Specs

Panasonic S3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Released February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below is a complete analysis of the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) posses different sensor dimensions.

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The S3 was revealed 5 years prior to the K-S2 and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a full comparison, here is a quick view of how the S3 grades versus the K-S2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K-S2

 S3 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic S3

 K-S2 S3 
ReleasedFebruary 2015January 2011More recent by 49 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S2

 S3 K-S2 
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 offers physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") along with a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-S2 has dimensions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the S3 vs the K-S2.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and K-S2 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by viewing specifications. The visual underneath will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and K-S2.

Plainly, each of these cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The S3 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-S2 will provide you with extra detail because of its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos more aggressively. The older S3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography highlights
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
78
manual focus
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
72
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S3
Sports photography with Pentax K-S2
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
has phase detect AF
low fps (5.4 frames per second)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
68
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
environment sealing
good MP (20MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
bad battery (410 shots)
heavier than average (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
38
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment sealing
bad battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
has mic port
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K-S2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K-S2
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-05 2015-02-10
Body design Compact Compact 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 14MP 20MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type 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
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117 gr (0.26 pounds) 678 gr (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 410 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $110 $581