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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Panasonic SZ1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 131g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the SZ1 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ1 was unveiled 2 years after the K-x which is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a concise overview of how the SZ1 matches up versus the K-x in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax K-x

 SZ1 K-x 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012December 2009More modern by 25 months
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic SZ1

 K-x SZ1 
Manually focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax K-x

 SZ1 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch display Absent Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ1 provides outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are employing at that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ1 against the K-x.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and K-x is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its tough to visualise the difference in sensor sizes only by checking out specifications. The pic underneath may provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and K-x.

To sum up, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ1 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Panasonic SZ1 will show greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also help you crop photos somewhat more aggressively. The younger SZ1 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-x Portrait photography details
34
good MP (16 megapixels)
has face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-x Street photography factors
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131 grams)
fixed screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-x Sports photography advice
40
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ1
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
70
lighter than competition (131g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
54
better than average battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
built-in flash
no Timelapse mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
43
relatively wide (25mm)
screen is a good size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse function
61
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
resolution not great (12MP)
no Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
32
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (131 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external microphone socket
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
does not posses selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax K-x
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-09 2009-12-23
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 4cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.60 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone 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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 grams (0.29 lb) 580 grams (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 1900 photographs
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail pricing $179 $600