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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
93
Imaging
40
Features
34
Overall
37
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Introduced January 2015
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Replacement is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Lets take a more detailed look at the Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the SZ10 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the SZ10 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) have totally different sensor size.

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The SZ10 was announced 10 months after the K-3 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple summation of how the SZ10 matches up against the K-3 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax K-3

 SZ10 K-3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2015April 2014Newer by 10 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic SZ10

 K-3 SZ10 
Manually focus Very precise focus
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k460kSharper screen (+577k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-3

 SZ10 K-3 
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Lacking Touch screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera, you'll need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ10 has got physical measurements of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ10 against the K-3.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ10 and K-3 is 93 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to envision the difference in sensor dimensions purely by going through technical specs. The picture here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ10 and K-3.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ10 using its smaller sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 will produce greater detail with its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more modern SZ10 will have an edge when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
35
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
70
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (177g)
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
great high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
34
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.4 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
67
lighter than average (177g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
environment proof
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
flash built-in
terrible battery life (560 CIPA)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
41
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
manual exposure not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
77
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
2 card slots
terrible battery life (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Vlogging info
Pentax K-3 Vlogging info
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than average (177 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external microphone socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external microphone support
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax K-3
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2015-01-06 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.4 frames per sec 8.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, on, slow sync w/redeye, off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 177 gr (0.39 pounds) 800 gr (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 560 pictures
Style of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $200 $639