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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Announced January 2012
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
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ1 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very close and both cameras boast the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ1 was introduced 11 months after the S1 and they are of a similar generation. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before delving straight to a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the SZ1 grades versus the S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax S1

 SZ1 S1 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2011More modern by 11 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic SZ1

 S1 SZ1 
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax S1

 SZ1 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kSame display resolution
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 features external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 131 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ1 versus Pentax S1 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ1 versus the S1.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ1 and S1 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor sizes purely by researching specs. The image below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and S1.

As you can plainly see, the two cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but different resolution. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ1 to provide you with extra detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more modern SZ1 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax S1 Portrait photography highlights
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
35
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (131 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Sports photography information
Pentax S1 Sports photography information
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
max fps low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than others (131g)
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
43
fairly wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
can't swap lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
42
manual focus
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual exposure not available
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Vlogging information
Pentax S1 Vlogging information
32
fairly wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
includes face detect autofocus
lighter than others (131 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic socket
28
pretty wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax Optio S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
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 surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 1.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AEB
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 (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
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 131 gr (0.29 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
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 pictures 260 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $179 $174