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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 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
  • Introduced January 2013
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 SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax K-500, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor size.

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The SZ3 was launched 10 months before the K-500 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the SZ3 grades versus the K-500 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-500

 SZ3 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-500 SZ3 
LaunchedNovember 2013January 2013Fresher by 10 months
Manual focus More precise focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-500

 SZ3 K-500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 offers external dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has proportions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax K-500 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ3 and the K-500.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and K-500 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the gap in sensor sizing merely by seeing specs. The visual here should provide you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and K-500.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras posses the exact same MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The SZ3 has got the smaller sensor which should make obtaining shallow DOF harder. The older SZ3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-500
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
no manual focus
manual mode not available
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
focusing manually
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Street photography highlights
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
very good high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-500 Sports photography highlights
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
better than average battery power (710 shots)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
better than average battery power (710 shots)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography details
39
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't change lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
no Timelapse mode
79
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
better than average battery power (710 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
31
really wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no microphone support
30
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-500
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2013-11-27
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD 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
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 646 gr (1.42 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 710 photographs
Battery form Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $150 $600