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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP 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 KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Announced January 2017
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP Overview

In this write-up, we are analyzing the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax KP, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and KP (24MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and KP (APS-C) come with different sensor size.

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The SZ3 was manufactured 5 years before the KP which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ3 scores versus the KP with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax KP

 SZ3 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Panasonic SZ3

 KP SZ3 
AnnouncedJanuary 2017January 2013Newer by 49 months
Focus manually Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax KP

 SZ3 KP 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to travel with your camera frequently, you will need to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 has got physical dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax KP has proportions of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") accompanied by a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ3 versus Pentax KP in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are employing during that time. Underneath is the front view scale comparison of the SZ3 vs the KP.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and KP is 96 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions merely by going over specifications. The image here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and KP.

Plainly, both of these cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ3 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more difficult and the Pentax KP will offer greater detail due to its extra 8MP. Greater resolution will enable you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The more aged SZ3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography details
Pentax KP Portrait photography details
30
megapixel count good (16MP)
manual focus not available
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
80
focusing manually
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
Pentax KP Street photography advice
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
weather proof
good ISO range (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
Pentax KP Sports photography details
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
quiet mode (1/24,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
low battery power (390 CIPA)
no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography details
Pentax KP Travel photography details
71
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
weather proof
good resolution (24 megapixels)
built-in flash
low battery power (390 per charge)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography info
Pentax KP Landscape photography info
39
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
lack of manual mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good resolution (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good ISO range (819,200)
exports RAW files
weather proof
low battery power (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging details
Pentax KP Vlogging details
31
fairly wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (126 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic port
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
includes face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone jack
doesn't have selfie friendly display
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax KP
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax KP
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax KP
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2017-01-26
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME IV
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 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 819200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/24000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.10 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 gr (0.28 lbs) 703 gr (1.55 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 390 photos
Battery format 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 (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $150 $747