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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Announced January 2013
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Launched May 2012
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Its time to look a little more in depth at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is fairly close but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The SZ3 was revealed 8 months later than the K-01 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ3 grades versus the K-01 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-01

 SZ3 K-01 
LaunchedJanuary 2013May 2012More recent by 8 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-01 SZ3 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-01

 SZ3 K-01 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 has got external dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has dimensions of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") along with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have at that moment. Following is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ3 against the K-01.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and K-01 is 96 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The photograph here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and K-01.

As you have seen, both the cameras feature the identical megapixel count but different sensor measurements. The SZ3 features the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower DOF trickier. The more recent SZ3 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
30
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
Pentax K-01 Street photography information
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
fixed screen
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
61
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery pack (540 per charge)
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
does not have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
71
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse recording
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
good battery pack (540 per charge)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography details
39
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
80
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (540 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
Pentax K-01 Vlogging features
31
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
no mic jack
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have external mic socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
heavier than competition in class (561 grams)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-01
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2013-01-07 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
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 16 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO - 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 561g (1.24 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 250 photos 540 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Retail cost $150 $899