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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
96
Imaging
40
Features
29
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 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
  • Revealed January 2013
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released January 2006
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

In this article, we are reviewing the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax ist DL2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap among the image resolutions of the SZ3 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the SZ3 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ3 was manufactured 7 years after the ist DL2 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a detailed comparison, below is a short overview of how the SZ3 scores versus the ist DL2 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ3 over the Pentax ist DL2

 SZ3 ist DL2 
ReleasedJanuary 2013January 2006More modern by 85 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kSharper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Panasonic SZ3

 ist DL2 SZ3 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax ist DL2

 SZ3 ist DL2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ3 features outside dimensions 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 ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax ist DL2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you are utilizing at the time. The following is the front view size comparison of the SZ3 and the ist DL2.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ3 and ist DL2 is 96 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizes only by researching technical specs. The pic underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ3 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, both cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ3 because of its smaller sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic SZ3 will provide you with more detail due to its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop pics a little more aggressively. The more recent SZ3 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography highlights
30
resolution is good (16MP)
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Street photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Street photography features
64
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than others (565 grams)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
41
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
includes tracking focus
max fps very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ3
Travel photography with Pentax ist DL2
71
lighter than competition in class (126g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (25mm)
great zoom (250mm)
no Timelapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
lighter than others (565 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse function
megapixel count low (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DL2 Landscape photography factors
39
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Timelapse mode
46
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview feature
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ3 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging features
31
decently wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (126g)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
22
lighter than others (565 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video ( pixels)
lack of microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ3 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ3 and Pentax ist DL2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ3 Pentax ist DL2
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2013-01-07 2006-01-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Max resolution 4608 x 3456 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 5
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.10 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
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) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 126 gr (0.28 pounds) 565 gr (1.25 pounds)
Dimensions 95 x 56 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 250 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $150 -