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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 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
  • Introduced January 2013
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Introduced September 2012
  • Old Model is Pentax Q
  • Updated by Pentax Q7
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Here, we are reviewing the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and Q10 (12MP) but both cameras offer the identical sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The SZ3 was released 4 months after the Q10 and they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go into a complete comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the SZ3 grades vs the Q10 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax Q10

 SZ3 Q10 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Panasonic SZ3

 Q10 SZ3 
Manual focus More precise focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax Q10

 SZ3 Q10 
IntroducedJanuary 2013September 2012Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither features Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For those who are intending to carry around your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ3 enjoys exterior dimensions of 95mm x 56mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 126 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q10 has proportions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ3 against the Q10.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ3 and Q10 is 96 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes merely by seeing a spec sheet. The pic below might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and Q10.

As you can see, both of the cameras feature the identical sensor size but different megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic SZ3 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography features
Pentax Q10 Portrait photography features
30
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
48
you can focus manually
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ3
Street photography with Pentax Q10
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (200 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Sports photography camera
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
36
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports tracking focus
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (270 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Travel photography info
Pentax Q10 Travel photography info
71
lighter than average (126g)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
very long reach (250mm)
no Timelapse recording
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competitors in class (200g)
has built in flash
low battery pack (270 shots)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Landscape photography camera
39
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual exposure
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
no Timelapse recording
54
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports RAW files
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery pack (270 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging info
Pentax Q10 Vlogging info
31
relatively wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (126 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone port
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (200g)
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have mic jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax Q10
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax Q10
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax Q10
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2013-01-07 2012-09-10
Body design Compact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 12MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 23 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 8
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 460k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display technology TFT LCD TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (optional)
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.10 m 7.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/2000 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 126g (0.28 lbs) 200g (0.44 lbs)
Physical dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 49
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 10.9
DXO Low light score not tested 183
Other
Battery life 250 shots 270 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Retail price $150 $350