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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 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
  • Released January 2013
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
  • Introduced April 2014
  • Successor is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here, we will be evaluating the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) have different sensor sizing.

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The SZ3 was unveiled 15 months before the K-3 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ3 grades against the K-3 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-3

 SZ3 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-3 SZ3 
IntroducedApril 2014January 2013Newer by 15 months
Manual focus More precise focus
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-3

 SZ3 K-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen Neither comes with Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you're aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 comes with 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-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).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SZ3 vs the K-3.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and K-3 is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its hard to picture the gap in sensor dimensions merely by checking out specifications. The picture here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and K-3.

Plainly, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-3 will show greater detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop pictures way more aggressively. The more aged SZ3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
79
has manual focus
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Street photography camera
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 Sports photography features
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
76
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
bad battery power (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-3 Travel photography features
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
megapixel count good (16MP)
built-in flash
fairly wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Timelapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
environment proof
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
bad battery power (560 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography factors
39
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Timelapse recording
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
does not have anti-alias filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
bad battery power (560 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-3 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing external microphone port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes mic port
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-3
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-3
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2014-04-10
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
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 -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 250 shots 560 shots
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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One Two
Retail cost $150 $639