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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio RZ10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 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
  • Announced January 2011
Pentax RZ10
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-280mm (F3.2-5.9) lens
  • 178g - 97 x 61 x 33mm
  • Introduced July 2011
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic S3 and Pentax RZ10, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the RZ10 (14MP) is pretty well matched and both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The S3 was revealed 6 months earlier than the RZ10 so they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the S3 scores vs the RZ10 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax RZ10

 S3 RZ10 

Reasons to pick Pentax RZ10 over the Panasonic S3

 RZ10 S3 
Manual focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax RZ10

 S3 RZ10 
IntroducedJanuary 2011July 2011Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 provides physical measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) and the Pentax RZ10 has dimensions of 97mm x 61mm x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 178 grams (0.39 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic S3 and Pentax RZ10 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you use at that moment. Following is a front view measurement comparison of the S3 versus the RZ10.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and RZ10 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor sizes just by looking at specs. The image here will offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the S3 and RZ10.

All in all, each of the cameras come with the identical sensor size and the same exact MP so you can expect similar quality of files although you have to consider the launch date of the products into consideration.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic S3 Portrait photography details
Pentax RZ10 Portrait photography details
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14MP)
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax RZ10 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117g)
screen is fixed
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
61
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic S3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax RZ10 Sports photography highlights
35
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
not so great battery (178 per charge)
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax RZ10 as a Travel photography camera
68
lighter than competition (117g)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
66
weather proof
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
great reach (280mm)
no Timelapse function
not so great battery (178 shots)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 Landscape photography features
Pentax RZ10 Landscape photography features
38
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
missing Time Lapse recording
43
focusing manually
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
weather proof
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
small screen (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW format
not so great battery (178 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax RZ10 as a Vlogging camera
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (117 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic socket
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.2)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax RZ10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax RZ10
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio RZ10
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio RZ10
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2011-01-05 2011-07-19
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.08 x 4.56mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 27.7mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-280mm (10.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.2-5.9
Macro focusing distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.9
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/2000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 2.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
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 gr (0.26 lb) 178 gr (0.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 97 x 61 x 33mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 1.3")
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 pictures 178 pictures
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $110 $200