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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D 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
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Introduced December 2006
  • New Model is Pentax K100D S
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K100D, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and K100D (6MP) and the S3 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The S3 was introduced 4 years after the K100D which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a quick view of how the S3 scores against the K100D in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K100D

 S3 K100D 
IntroducedJanuary 2011December 2006More modern by 50 months
Screen sizing2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kSharper screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Panasonic S3

 K100D S3 
Focus manually Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K100D

 S3 K100D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 offers exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) whilst the Pentax K100D has specifications of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") with a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K100D in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you use during that time. Here is the front view measurements comparison of the S3 vs the K100D.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the S3 and K100D is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching a spec sheet. The image here will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and K100D.

As you can see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The S3 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Panasonic S3 will result in greater detail using its extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures far more aggressively. The more recent S3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography info
Pentax K100D Portrait photography info
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
51
you can focus manually
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117g)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
58
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no articulating screen
more heavy than others in class (660g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography advice
Pentax K100D Sports photography advice
35
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14MP)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
47
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max frames per second low (3.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography features
Pentax K100D Travel photography features
68
lighter than others (117g)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
42
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than others in class (660g)
low resolution sensor (6MP)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography information
Pentax K100D Landscape photography information
38
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
lack of Timelapse mode
52
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging info
Pentax K100D Vlogging info
31
really wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of microphone socket
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K100D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K100D
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2006-12-03
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 grams (0.26 pounds) 660 grams (1.46 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photos -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at launch $110 $0