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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-70 front
Portability
62
Imaging
67
Features
81
Overall
72

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 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-70
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 102400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 688g - 126 x 93 x 74mm
  • Announced June 2016
  • Renewed by Pentax KF
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and K-70 (24MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-70 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The SZ3 was unveiled 4 years earlier than the K-70 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-70 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick overview of how the SZ3 grades versus the K-70 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-70

 SZ3 K-70 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-70 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-70 SZ3 
AnnouncedJune 2016January 2013More recent by 41 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kCrisper display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-70

 SZ3 K-70 
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 Physical Comparison

When you are going to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 features exterior measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-70 has specifications of 126mm x 93mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9") along with a weight of 688 grams (1.52 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you choose during that time. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the SZ3 against the K-70.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and K-70 is 96 and 62 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualise the difference between sensor measurements merely by reviewing specs. The visual here should offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and K-70.

All in all, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The SZ3 having a tinier sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-70 will offer you more detail having an extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images more aggressively. The older SZ3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-70 Portrait photography advice
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
80
manual focus
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
Pentax K-70 Street photography features
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
71
screen articulates fully
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good high ISO (102,400)
heavier than competitors (688g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography features
Pentax K-70 Sports photography features
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect AF
low frames per second (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-70 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than others (126 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Timelapse function
does not feature selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
weather proofing
good MP (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
display is selfie friendly
bad battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competitors (688g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-70 Landscape photography factors
39
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
good high ISO (102,400)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
bad battery (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
Pentax K-70 Vlogging info
31
pretty wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
71
display is selfie friendly
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
heavier than competitors (688g)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-70
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-70
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2016-06-08
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME MII
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 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 6400 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported 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 Built-In
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 lbs) 688 gr (1.52 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 126 x 93 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs 410 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs, continuous)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Storage slots One One
Retail pricing $150 $649