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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1

Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
24
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Introduced January 2011
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
Photography Glossary

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 Overview

On this page, we are looking at the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the S3 (14MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very comparable and both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The S3 was announced within a month of the S1 and they are both of a similar age. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the S3 grades versus the S1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic S3 over the Pentax S1

 S3 S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic S3

 S1 S3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic S3 and Pentax S1

 S3 S1 
LaunchedJanuary 2011March 2011Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal display size
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic S3 provides outer measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 117 grams (0.26 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Underneath is a front view proportions comparison of the S3 versus the S1.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the S3 and S1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Often, it's tough to visualise the gap in sensor measurements merely by checking out a spec sheet. The graphic below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the S3 and S1.

As you can see, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions and the exact same megapixels and you can expect comparable quality of photographs but you would want to consider the launch date of the cameras into account.

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic S3
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
28
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
focusing manually
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic S3
Sports photography with Pentax S1
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
low fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic S3 Travel photography details
Pentax S1 Travel photography details
68
lighter than others in class (117 grams)
resolution is good (14MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
quite wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
38
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Timelapse function
42
focusing manually
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good megapixels (14MP)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic S3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax S1 as a Vlogging camera
31
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (117g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone port
28
quite wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
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Panasonic S3 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic S3 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-S3 Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2011-01-05 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing 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
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 28-112mm (4.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.6 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 3.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 117g (0.26 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 260 photographs
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $110 $174