Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax K20D

In this article, we will be matching up the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax K20D, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively comparable but the SZ1 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

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The SZ1 was introduced 3 years later than the K20D and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SZ1 scores vs the K20D in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 & Pentax K20D. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ1 Gallery & Pentax K20D Gallery.

If you're going to lug around your camera, you will want to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ1 enjoys outer 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 K20D has sizing of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax K20D in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are working with at that time. Underneath is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ1 and the K20D.

Looking at size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and K20D is 95 and 59 respectively.

Often, it is very hard to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements purely by seeing specs. The visual underneath will provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and K20D.

All in all, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ1 with its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic SZ1 will show greater detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The fresher SZ1 will have an edge with regard to sensor technology.