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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Revealed October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly comparable but the SZ1 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The SZ1 was launched 2 years later than the K-7 and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the SZ1 grades vs the K-7 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax K-7

 SZ1 K-7 
RevealedJanuary 2012October 2009More recent by 28 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic SZ1

 K-7 SZ1 
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax K-7

 SZ1 K-7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display measurements
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 features external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that moment. Below is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ1 compared to the K-7.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ1 and K-7 is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very hard to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing specifications. The photograph below will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and K-7.

Plainly, the 2 cameras have different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ1 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more difficult and the Panasonic SZ1 will show greater detail utilizing its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent SZ1 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography details
34
good megapixels (16MP)
includes face detect focusing
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
73
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography advice
Pentax K-7 Street photography advice
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (131g)
no moving screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
Pentax K-7 Sports photography information
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
70
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others in class (131g)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
environment proof
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
has built in flash
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
43
relatively wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
78
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-7 Vlogging factors
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (131 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection autofocus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax K-7
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax K-7
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2012-01-09 2009-10-02
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 2000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 4cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131g (0.29 lb) 750g (1.65 lb)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 980 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots One One
Price at release $179 $599