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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
95
Imaging
39
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 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 ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced January 2006
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax ist DL2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the SZ1 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the SZ1 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The SZ1 was revealed 6 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the SZ1 grades against the ist DL2 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ1 over the Pentax ist DL2

 SZ1 ist DL2 
IntroducedJanuary 2012January 2006Newer by 73 months
Display size3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Panasonic SZ1

 ist DL2 SZ1 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax ist DL2

 SZ1 ist DL2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ1 enjoys physical 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 ist DL2 has proportions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax ist DL2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ1 versus the ist DL2.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ1 and ist DL2 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's hard to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching technical specs. The picture here might provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ1 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, both of those cameras feature different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ1 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic SZ1 will provide you with greater detail because of its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images way more aggressively. The newer SZ1 should have an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography info
34
decent megapixels (16MP)
offers face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
51
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview
MP count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ1
Street photography with Pentax ist DL2
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (131g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
39
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Travel photography camera
70
lighter than competition (131 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Timelapse mode
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
has built in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
MP count low (6 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography features
43
pretty wide (25mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Timelapse mode
47
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inches)
no liveview
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ1 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Vlogging camera
32
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (131g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone jack
22
lighter than competitors in class (565 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
missing external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ1 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ1 and Pentax ist DL2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ1 Pentax ist DL2
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-09 2006-01-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 23 5
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.5 inches
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
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) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format MPEG-4 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 131g (0.29 lbs) 565g (1.25 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 250 pictures -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at release $179 -