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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Announced January 2013
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Expand to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here is a in depth review of the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-x, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference among the resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ3 was released 3 years later than the K-x and that is a fairly sizable gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a full comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SZ3 grades against the K-x with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K-x

 SZ3 K-x 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013December 2009Fresher by 38 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic SZ3

 K-x SZ3 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-x

 SZ3 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry your camera often, you're going to have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ3 comes with outer measurements 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-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") along with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

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

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are employing at that time. Underneath is a front view dimension comparison of the SZ3 vs the K-x.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and K-x is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will give you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and K-x.

Clearly, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ3 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic SZ3 will show extra detail as a result of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The younger SZ3 will have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
30
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
supports RAW files
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
Pentax K-x Street photography features
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-x Sports photography factors
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
supports tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low megapixels (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
71
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
54
great battery pack (1,900 shots)
flash built-in
missing Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
39
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
great battery pack (1,900 CIPA)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging information
Pentax K-x Vlogging information
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic port
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K-x
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K-x
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-01-07 2009-12-23
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Max enhanced ISO - 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m 16.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 580g (1.28 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 1900 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at release $150 $600