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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 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
  • Released January 2012
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released March 2009
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 Overview

The following is a extensive review of the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Ultracompact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the image resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and P70 (12MP) but both cameras have the same sensor size (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was revealed 2 years after the P70 which is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before going into a in depth comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ1 scores versus the P70 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax P70

 SZ1 P70 
ReleasedJanuary 2012March 2009Newer by 35 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic SZ1

 P70 SZ1 
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax P70

 SZ1 P70 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

If you are going to travel with your camera often, you will have to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ1 features physical measurements 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 P70 has dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ1 versus the P70.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and P70 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to visualize the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by researching technical specs. The pic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ1 and P70.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit different megapixels. You should expect the Panasonic SZ1 to render extra detail because of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop photographs more aggressively. The newer SZ1 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ1
Portrait photography with Pentax P70
34
MP count good (16MP)
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
27
has manual focus
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Street photography factors
Pentax P70 Street photography factors
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (131g)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
more heavy than competition (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography factors
Pentax P70 Sports photography factors
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than average (131g)
MP count good (16MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
56
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition (155g)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography details
Pentax P70 Landscape photography details
43
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
32
has manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ1
Vlogging with Pentax P70
32
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
lighter than average (131 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic socket
25
reasonably wide (28mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than competition (155g)
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio P70
Category Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Released 2012-01-09 2009-03-02
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 4cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction -
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 131 grams (0.29 lbs) 155 grams (0.34 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 photos -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $179 $200