Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-x

Below is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-x, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty similar but the S3 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The S3 was launched 13 months later than the K-x which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a brief summation of how the S3 scores against the K-x with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 and Pentax K-x. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic S3 Gallery and Pentax K-x Gallery.

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 has got outside dimensions 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-x has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") accompanied by a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K-x in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the S3 and the K-x.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the S3 and K-x is 96 and 69 respectively.

More often than not, it's tough to visualise the contrast between sensor measurements just by reading a spec sheet. The graphic below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the S3 and K-x.

As you can see, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The S3 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic S3 will deliver greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The more modern S3 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.