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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D 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 K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released June 2008
  • Superseded the Pentax K10D
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D Overview

Here is a in-depth analysis of the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K20D, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the K20D (15MP) is relatively similar but the SZ3 (1/2.3") and K20D (APS-C) provide totally different sensor size.

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The SZ3 was unveiled 4 years later than the K20D and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight to a comprehensive comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SZ3 scores against the K20D for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax K20D

 SZ3 K20D 
ReleasedJanuary 2013June 2008Fresher by 56 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic SZ3

 K20D SZ3 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K20D

 SZ3 K20D 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size2.7"2.7"Same screen size
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry your camera frequently, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 has got outside dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has proportions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K20D in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ3 against the K20D.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and K20D is 96 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be tough to envision the gap between sensor sizing simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The graphic here will help offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and K20D.

Clearly, the 2 cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The SZ3 with its tinier sensor will make shooting bokeh tougher and the Panasonic SZ3 will offer you more detail having an extra 1MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent SZ3 is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K20D Portrait photography highlights
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
71
you can focus manually
good megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography factors
Pentax K20D Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography information
Pentax K20D Sports photography information
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
environment proof
has phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography advice
Pentax K20D Travel photography advice
71
lighter than average in class (126g)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not have selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment proof
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Landscape photography camera
39
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
no manual mode
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse mode
70
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (15 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is small (2.7 inch)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
9
no video shooting
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax K20D
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2008-06-25
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Full resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Max boosted ISO - 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126g (0.28 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
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 rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 250 photographs -
Battery style Battery Pack -
Battery ID - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Retail price $150 $700