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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ3
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 126g - 95 x 56 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2013
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed March 2009
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Ultracompact by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference between the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and P70 (12MP) but both cameras have the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was manufactured 3 years after the P70 which is quite a big 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 P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief summary of how the SZ3 scores versus the P70 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax P70

 SZ3 P70 
RevealedJanuary 2013March 2009Newer by 47 months

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic SZ3

 P70 SZ3 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax P70

 SZ3 P70 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display measurement
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to travel with your camera, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ3 features outside measurements of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is a front view sizing comparison of the SZ3 compared to the P70.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and P70 is 96 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its hard to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions only by going over technical specs. The picture below might offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ3 and P70.

As you have seen, the two cameras feature the identical sensor size but different MP. You should expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to offer you greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images way more aggressively. The more recent SZ3 provides an advantage in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Portrait photography camera
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
27
has manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography advice
Pentax P70 Street photography advice
64
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126 grams)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
heavier than average (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography details
Pentax P70 Sports photography details
41
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
includes tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
17
low maximum shutter speed (1/1,000 seconds)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Pentax P70
71
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
resolution is good (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
does not feature selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
56
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (155g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography features
Pentax P70 Landscape photography features
39
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
manual mode not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
32
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
Pentax P70 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (126g)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
does not feature selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic port
25
really wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic support
heavier than average (155g)
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Optio P70
Class Small Sensor Compact Ultracompact
Revealed 2013-01-07 2009-03-02
Physical type Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance 5cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro -
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lb) 155 grams (0.34 lb)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
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 photographs -
Style of battery Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $150 $200