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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K100D front
Portability
64
Imaging
45
Features
36
Overall
41

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D 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 K100D
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 660g - 129 x 93 x 70mm
  • Announced December 2006
  • Later Model is Pentax K100D S
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D Overview

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and K100D (6MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K100D (APS-C) offer different sensor measurements.

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The SZ3 was brought out 6 years later than the K100D and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K100D being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a short overview of how the SZ3 scores versus the K100D when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K100D

 SZ3 K100D 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013December 2006Fresher by 75 months
Screen dimensions2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution230k210kClearer screen (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K100D over the Panasonic SZ3

 K100D SZ3 
Manual focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K100D

 SZ3 K100D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 features physical dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K100D has proportions of 129mm x 93mm x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 660 grams (1.46 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you select at the time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SZ3 versus the K100D.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and K100D is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing merely by going through technical specs. The photograph below will help provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and K100D.

As you have seen, the 2 cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ3 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Panasonic SZ3 will produce more detail having its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop photographs a bit more aggressively. The newer SZ3 provides an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography details
Pentax K100D Portrait photography details
30
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
51
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography details
Pentax K100D Street photography details
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126g)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
58
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
no moving screen
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography information
Pentax K100D Sports photography information
41
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
47
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
slow fps (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography info
Pentax K100D Travel photography info
71
lighter than average (126g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
42
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (660 grams)
megapixel count low (6MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K100D as a Landscape photography camera
39
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
no Time Lapse function
52
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
small screen (2.5 inches)
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K100D as a Vlogging camera
31
relatively wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external mic support
9
no video
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K100D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K100D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K100D
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K100D
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2013-01-07 2006-12-03
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
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 sizing 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 4.10 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lb) 660g (1.46 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 129 x 93 x 70mm (5.1" x 3.7" x 2.8")
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 images -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Retail pricing $150 $0