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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Announced January 2013
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Launched February 2015
  • Old Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-S2, one is 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-S2 (20MP) is pretty close but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) have totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ3 was introduced 3 years prior to the K-S2 which is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ3 scores against the K-S2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-S2

 SZ3 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-S2 SZ3 
LaunchedFebruary 2015January 2013More modern by 25 months
Manual focus Dial precise focus
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen size3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-S2

 SZ3 K-S2 
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ3 features exterior 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) and the Pentax K-S2 has measurements of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") along with a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-S2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ3 against the K-S2.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and K-S2 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to see the difference in sensor sizes only by looking through specs. The picture underneath may give you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and K-S2.

All in all, both cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ3 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-S2 will result in more detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-S2 Portrait photography features
30
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
78
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography info
Pentax K-S2 Street photography info
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
72
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
more heavy than competition in class (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography factors
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
comes with tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
70
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (5.4 frames/s)
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Pentax K-S2
71
lighter than others in class (126g)
MP count decent (16MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Timelapse mode
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.1)
65
environment sealing
megapixel count decent (20MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly screen
low battery pack (410 shots)
more heavy than competition in class (678g)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography info
39
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Timelapse mode
77
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (20MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
low battery pack (410 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax K-S2
31
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (126 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
missing microphone jack
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
more heavy than competition in class (678g)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-S2
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-01-07 2015-02-10
Physical type Compact Compact 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 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen size 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 pounds) 678g (1.49 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 photos 410 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch price $150 $581