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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
93
Imaging
41
Features
34
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ10
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 177g - 99 x 60 x 30mm
  • Announced January 2015
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Launched November 2013
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Its time to examine more closely at the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-500, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ10 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ10 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizes.

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The SZ10 was introduced 14 months later than the K-500 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ10 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ10 matches up against the K-500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ10 over the Pentax K-500

 SZ10 K-500 
LaunchedJanuary 2015November 2013Fresher by 14 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic SZ10

 K-500 SZ10 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-500

 SZ10 K-500 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither features Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ10 enjoys outside dimensions of 99mm x 60mm x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") with a weight of 177 grams (0.39 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the SZ10 compared to the K-500.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ10 and K-500 is 93 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor sizing simply by checking specs. The photograph underneath will give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ10 and K-500.

All in all, both the cameras enjoy the same exact megapixel count albeit different sensor sizing. The SZ10 has got the tinier sensor which will make achieving shallow DOF tougher. The more modern SZ10 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography features
36
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
supports face detection autofocus
lack of manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
focusing manually
MP count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Street photography features
Pentax K-500 Street photography features
70
screen tilts
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (177 grams)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good high ISO (51,600)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-500 Sports photography factors
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.4 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
bad battery power (200 shots)
does not have phase detect autofocus
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
great battery pack (710 CIPA)
supports phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Travel photography features
Pentax K-500 Travel photography features
67
lighter than competition in class (177g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
great reach (288mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery power (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
great battery pack (710 shots)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography factors
42
rather wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
bad battery power (200 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (710 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ10 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
32
rather wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than competition in class (177 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external microphone socket
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
does not have external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ10 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ10 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10Pentax K-500
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ10 Pentax K-500
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2015-01-06 2013-11-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 51600
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fixed Type
Screen size 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.4 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.20 m 12.00 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+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 177 gr (0.39 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Dimensions 99 x 60 x 30mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.2") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 200 images 710 images
Type of battery Battery Pack AA
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $200 $600