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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-1 Mark II front
Portability
55
Imaging
78
Features
82
Overall
79

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
Pentax K-1 II
(Full Review)
  • 36MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF4 Mount
  • 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
  • Revealed February 2018
  • Succeeded the Pentax K-1
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Overview

Below is a complete assessment of the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-1 II, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and K-1 II (36MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-1 II (Full frame) use different sensor sizing.

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The SZ3 was unveiled 6 years before the K-1 II and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the SZ3 matches up versus the K-1 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-1 II

 SZ3 K-1 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 II over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-1 II SZ3 
RevealedFebruary 2018January 2013More recent by 62 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimension3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kCrisper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-1 II

 SZ3 K-1 II 
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 offers physical measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-1 II has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") accompanied by a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-1 II in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Following is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ3 and the K-1 II.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and K-1 II is 96 and 55 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through specifications. The graphic underneath will help give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and K-1 II.

To sum up, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ3 with its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-1 II will resolve extra detail having an extra 20 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also enable you to crop pics much more aggressively. The older SZ3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Portrait photography advice
30
good megapixels (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
86
manual focus
sensor resolution is high (36MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
Pentax K-1 II Street photography info
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
70
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
good high ISO (819,200)
heavier than average in class (1,010g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography information
Pentax K-1 II Sports photography information
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
includes tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
77
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (4.4 frames/s)
not so great battery pack (670 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Pentax K-1 II Travel photography details
71
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
53
weather proofing
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
not so great battery pack (670 per charge)
heavier than average in class (1,010g)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-1 II Landscape photography advice
39
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse mode
82
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF4 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor resolution is high (36 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
good high ISO (819,200)
supports RAW formats
weather proofing
has dual storage slots
not so great battery pack (670 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-1 II Vlogging advice
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic port
32
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
offers face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
has external mic jack
screen is not selfie friendly
heavier than average in class (1,010 grams)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-1 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-1 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-1 Mark II
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-1 Mark II
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2018-02-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME IV
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 megapixels 36 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 7360 x 4912
Max native ISO 6400 819200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 33
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF4
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 1,037 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.7x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 4.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro 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
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/200s
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 (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 input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None 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
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 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 1010 grams (2.23 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 images 670 images
Battery format 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 Dual
Pricing at release $150 $1,737