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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 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-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Below is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax K-S1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is pretty close but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The SZ3 was launched 19 months earlier than the K-S1 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a in depth comparison, below is a brief synopsis of how the SZ3 scores vs the K-S1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-S1

 SZ3 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-S1 SZ3 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2013More recent by 19 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-S1

 SZ3 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 offers external 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-S1 has sizing of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax K-S1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Below is the front view measurements comparison of the SZ3 against the K-S1.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and K-S1 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualize the difference in sensor measurements purely by looking through specs. The visual underneath will give you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and K-S1.

All in all, each of these cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-S1 will result in greater detail utilizing its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The older SZ3 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S1
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
77
focusing manually
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Pentax K-S1
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
73
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competition (558g)
above average high ISO (51,200)
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-S1 Sports photography details
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second low (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
comes with phase detect autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography details
71
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
MP count good (16MP)
built-in flash
decently wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competition (558 grams)
MP count good (20MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
bad battery (410 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography details
39
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Time Lapse function
73
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
bad battery (410 shots)
missing Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
31
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic jack
33
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition (558 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external microphone socket
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-S1
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2014-08-27
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 pounds) 558 grams (1.23 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 250 photos 410 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $150 $339