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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D 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 K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Replaced the Pentax K10D
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K20D, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the K20D (15MP) is very similar but the S3 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) provide different sensor measurements.

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The S3 was announced 2 years after the K20D which is quite a large difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic S3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a simple introduction of how the S3 grades against the K20D with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax K20D

 S3 K20D 
RevealedJanuary 2011June 2008Newer by 31 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic S3

 K20D S3 
Manually focus More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax K20D

 S3 K20D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display measurements
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic S3 has got outer measurements 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 K20D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic S3 versus Pentax K20D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you select during that time. Here is a front view sizing comparison of the S3 versus the K20D.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and K20D is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions merely by going over technical specs. The picture here should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and K20D.

As you have seen, the two cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The S3 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K20D will offer extra detail with its extra 1MP. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The newer S3 provides a benefit with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
Portrait photography with Pentax K20D
28
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
71
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K20D Street photography highlights
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K20D Sports photography factors
35
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
low fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K20D Travel photography highlights
68
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
MP count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proofing
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K20D Landscape photography advice
38
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K20D Vlogging advice
31
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (117 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
9
no video
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax K20D
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-01-05 2008-06-25
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
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
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format MPEG-4 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 117 gr (0.26 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 250 photos -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $110 $700