Clicky

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
96 Imaging
40 Features
29 Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93 Imaging
37 Features
30 Overall
34

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 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
  • Launched January 2013
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Announced March 2011
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Let's take a deeper look at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is relatively comparable and they feature the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

The SZ3 was announced 23 months after the RS1500 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both the cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a full comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ3 grades vs the RS1500 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary 
	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax RS1500

		

		

			
 SZ3 RS1500 
AnnouncedJanuary 2013March 2011More modern by 23 months
		

	

	
	

		

		
Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic SZ3

		

		

			
 RS1500 SZ3 
Manual focus  More precise focus
		

	

	
	

		

		
Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax RS1500

		

		

			
 SZ3 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension2.7"2.7"Identical screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen  Lack of selfie screen
Touch friendly screen  Lack of Touch friendly screen
		

	

	

	
	
	
	

	

		

		
Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

		

		

			
If you are aiming to carry around your camera often, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 has physical measurements 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 RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") and a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).
Examine the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses
Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ3 vs the RS1500.
Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison
Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and RS1500 is 96 and 93 respectively.
Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

		

		

			
More often than not, it can be hard to visualize the contrast in sensor sizes only by seeing specs. The pic underneath might offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ3 and RS1500.
All in all, the two cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ3 to produce more detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The younger SZ3 provides an edge in sensor innovation.
	
			Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison			
		

	

	
	

		

		
Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

		

		

					

		Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison	

	
			Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing	

	
	
	
	

	

		
Photography Type Scores

		

	

	
Portrait Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography highlights
30
 decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
 manual focus not available
 manual exposure not possible
 cannot use external flash
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
35
 focusing manually
 decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
 manual exposure not available
 no external flash support
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
Street Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
Pentax RS1500 Street photography information
64
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competitors (126 grams)
 fixed screen
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
54
 weather proof
 no articulating screen
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards
Sports Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Sports photography advice
41
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
 features tracking focus
 continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
 lack of shutter priority mode
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have phase detect autofocus
37
 decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
 comes with tracking autofocus
 weather proof
 painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
 no shutter priority mode
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no phase detect auto focus
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
Travel Comparison
Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
71
 lighter than competitors (126g)
 decent megapixels (16 megapixels)
 flash built-in
 rather wide (25mm)
 long reach (250mm)
 does not have Timelapse mode
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
 weather proof
 decent megapixels (14MP)
 built-in flash
 pretty wide (28mm)
 missing Timelapse mode
 does not offer selfie friendly screen
 sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms
Landscape Comparison
Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography factors
39
 rather wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 decent megapixels (16MP)
 manual focus not available
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
 screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
 manual exposure not possible
 sensor size is small (1/2.3")
 does not have RAW files
 does not have Timelapse mode
40
 focusing manually
 pretty wide (28mm)
 decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
 weather proof
 fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
 screen is small (2.7")
 manual exposure not available
 does not have image stabilization
 sensor  is small (1/2.3")
 no RAW format
 missing Timelapse mode
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images
Vlogging Comparison
Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
31
 rather wide (25mm)
 image stabilization (Optical)
 lighter than competitors (126 grams)
 sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
 doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
 video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
 does not have microphone port
25
 pretty wide (28mm)
 sluggish max aperture (f3.5)
 does not offer selfie friendly screen
 does not have image stabilization
 low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
 missing external microphone support
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone
	

		

			
Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

		

		

					

		
		

			Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2013-01-07 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter    
Aspect ratio - 4:3, 3:2 and  16:9
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW support    
Autofocusing
Manual focus    
Autofocus touch    
Continuous autofocus    
Single autofocus    
Autofocus tracking    
Selective autofocus    
Center weighted autofocus    
Autofocus multi area    
Autofocus live view    
Face detection autofocus    
Contract detection autofocus    
Phase detection autofocus    
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly    
Liveview    
Touch capability    
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority    
Aperture priority    
Manually set exposure    
Set white balance    
Image stabilization    
Integrated flash    
Flash range 4.10 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe    
Auto exposure bracketing    
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG 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
Environment sealing    
Water proof    
Dust proof    
Shock proof    
Crush proof    
Freeze proof    
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 157g (0.35 lbs)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature    
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots 1 1
Launch price $150 $150