Clicky

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K10D front
Portability
59
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D 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 K10D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released December 2006
  • Later Model is Pentax K20D
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and K10D (10MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K10D (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The SZ3 was launched 6 years later than the K10D and that is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K10D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving right into a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the SZ3 scores versus the K10D in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K10D

 SZ3 K10D 
ReleasedJanuary 2013December 2006Fresher by 74 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K10D over the Panasonic SZ3

 K10D SZ3 
Manual focus More exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K10D

 SZ3 K10D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera often, you should factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K10D has specifications of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") with a weight of 793 grams (1.75 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the SZ3 vs the K10D.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ3 and K10D is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is very difficult to see the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specifications. The graphic here will give you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and K10D.

Plainly, both the cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ3 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic SZ3 will provide you with more detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics way more aggressively. The more modern SZ3 will have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
Pentax K10D Portrait photography features
30
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
52
you can focus manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
Pentax K10D Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126 grams)
no moving screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
64
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
no articulating screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K10D as a Sports photography camera
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
52
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
megapixel count low (10MP)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography factors
Pentax K10D Travel photography factors
71
lighter than others (126g)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
has built in flash
rather wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
49
weather sealing
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ3
Landscape photography with Pentax K10D
39
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
lack of manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
55
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
screen is small (2.5")
no liveview
megapixel count low (10MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
Pentax K10D Vlogging info
31
rather wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external mic support
9
no video shooting
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K10D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K10D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K10D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K10D
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2006-12-15
Body design Compact Mid-size 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 area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 10MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 6400 1600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
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 range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.5 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Auto Red Eye
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 pounds) 793g (1.75 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.6
DXO Low light score not tested 522
Other
Battery life 250 photos -
Form of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Pricing at launch $150 $700