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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Released January 2013
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Here, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ3 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very similar and both cameras provide the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was launched 23 months after the S1 making them a generation away from one another. Both of these cameras feature the same body design (Compact).

Before diving into a complete comparison, here is a brief overview of how the SZ3 grades versus the S1 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax S1

 SZ3 S1 
IntroducedJanuary 2013March 2011Newer by 23 months

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic SZ3

 S1 SZ3 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax S1

 SZ3 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size2.7"2.7"Same display sizing
Display resolution230k230kThe same display resolution
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 has external dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose during that time. The following is a front view size comparison of the SZ3 vs the S1.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and S1 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualise the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture underneath should give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ3 and S1.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with the identical sensor size but not the same resolution. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to offer you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images a good deal more aggressively. The fresher SZ3 will have an advantage when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ3
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
30
megapixel count decent (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
35
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography information
Pentax S1 Street photography information
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
56
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Sports photography factors
Pentax S1 Sports photography factors
41
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
includes tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
39
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
features tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Travel photography camera
71
lighter than competition (126g)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
really wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
64
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
really wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
39
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
42
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ3
Vlogging with Pentax S1
31
really wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (126g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing mic jack
28
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external mic jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Optio S1
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2013-01-07 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
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 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 5cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 grams (0.28 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical 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 All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 250 pictures 260 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $150 $174