Clicky

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio E70 front
Portability
94
Imaging
33
Features
11
Overall
24

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 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
  • Revealed January 2011
Pentax E70
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.4" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-105mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 175g - 94 x 61 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2009
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 Overview

Following is a detailed analysis of the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference between the resolutions of the S3 (14MP) and E70 (10MP) but they come with the same exact sensor sizing (1/2.3").

Photography Glossary

The S3 was announced 2 years after the E70 which is quite a serious difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting in to a complete comparison, below is a quick view of how the S3 matches up vs the E70 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Cutting-edge AI developed by Apple deciphers subtle nuances in pixels
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax E70

 S3 E70 
RevealedJanuary 2011January 2009More modern by 25 months
Display sizing2.7"2.4"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution230k112kCrisper display (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax E70 over the Panasonic S3

 E70 S3 

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax E70

 S3 E70 
Focus manually No manual focus
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic S3 provides outer dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax E70 has proportions of 94mm x 61mm x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0") with a weight of 175 grams (0.39 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 in our completely new 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 select at that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the S3 vs the E70.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and E70 is 96 and 94 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualize the gap between sensor sizes only by checking specifications. The picture here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the S3 and E70.

To sum up, each of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing but different resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic S3 to give greater detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger S3 provides an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography features
Pentax E70 Portrait photography features
28
decent megapixels (14MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
19
no manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic S3
Street photography with Pentax E70
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
Supernova astonishes astronomers in ancient 12th century observations

Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography info
Pentax E70 Sports photography info
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
16
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic S3
Travel photography with Pentax E70
68
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
50
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low MP (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax E70 as a Landscape photography camera
38
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
22
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.4 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax E70 Vlogging highlights
31
pretty wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (117 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have mic jack
22
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic support
YouTube trialing AI that fast-forwards to the best video segments

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax E70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax E70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio E70
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio E70
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-01-05
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 10MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3648 x 2736
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 35-105mm (3.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.1-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 2.4 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 112 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 4s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/2000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 3.50 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
External flash
AEB
White balance 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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 lb) 175 grams (0.39 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 94 x 61 x 26mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 2 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $110 $140