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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 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
  • Revealed January 2013
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Bump to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

In this article, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-7, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is very comparable but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The SZ3 was revealed 3 years after the K-7 which is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick summary of how the SZ3 grades against the K-7 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-7

 SZ3 K-7 
LaunchedJanuary 2013October 2009Newer by 40 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-7 SZ3 
Manual focus More exact focus
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-7

 SZ3 K-7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera often, you should factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys outer dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-7 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view size comparison of the SZ3 compared to the K-7.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and K-7 is 96 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be tough to visualize the gap in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The picture below might offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and K-7.

As you can see, the two cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ3 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting bokeh harder and the Panasonic SZ3 will produce extra detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos far more aggressively. The more modern SZ3 should have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography info
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
lack of manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
72
focusing manually
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography info
Pentax K-7 Sports photography info
41
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
max fps low (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition (126 grams)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
very long zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
does not have selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proofing
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Landscape photography camera
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
lack of Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focus
does not posses selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic support
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-7
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2009-10-02
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 2000
Max enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m 13.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
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 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 750 gr (1.65 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 61
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.6
DXO Low light score not tested 536
Other
Battery life 250 photographs 980 photographs
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $150 $599