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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax K-1 front
Portability
55
Imaging
76
Features
82
Overall
78

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Launched January 2015
Pentax K-1
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 204800
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2016
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-1 II
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap among the resolutions of the SZ10 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the SZ10 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) boast different sensor sizing.

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The SZ10 was unveiled 13 months prior to the K-1 which makes them a generation away from one another. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the SZ10 scores versus the K-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax K-1

 SZ10 K-1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic SZ10

 K-1 SZ10 
RevealedFebruary 2016January 2015More modern by 13 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kClearer screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-1

 SZ10 K-1 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ10 offers outer dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") having a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you use at that time. Underneath is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ10 vs the K-1.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ10 and K-1 is 93 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very hard to visualize the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The pic underneath will offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ10 and K-1.

All in all, each of these cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ10 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will provide more detail having an extra 20MP. Higher resolution will help you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ10 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-1 Portrait photography information
35
decent megapixels (16MP)
supports face detect focusing
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
85
you can focus manually
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes face detect focus
exports RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Street photography camera
70
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (177 grams)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
70
screen articulates
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
very good high ISO (204,800)
heavier than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-1 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (16MP)
max fps low (1.4 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 shots)
does not have phase detect AF
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
includes tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (4.4 fps)
terrible battery power (760 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ10
Travel photography with Pentax K-1
67
lighter than competitors (177 grams)
decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
really wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
no Time Lapse recording
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
weather sealing
excellent MP (36MP)
terrible battery power (760 CIPA)
heavier than average in class (1,010 grams)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography information
Pentax K-1 Landscape photography information
41
really wide (24mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has 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 exposure
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
terrible battery (200 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
81
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent MP (36 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
no anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (204,800)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
has double storage slots
terrible battery power (760 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-1 as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detect focusing
lighter than competitors (177g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
31
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has mic port
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
heavier than average in class (1,010g)
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax K-1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax K-1
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2015-01-06 2016-02-17
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" Full frame
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 36 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 1600 204800
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 460k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.4fps 4.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m no built-in flash
Flash settings Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/200s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Built-in
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 177 grams (0.39 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 96
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 3280
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 760 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Storage slots 1 Two
Cost at launch $200 $1,499