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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
34
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic SZ5
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 104 x 58 x 21mm
  • Released July 2012
Pentax K-3 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2015
  • Replaced the Pentax K-3
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the image resolutions of the SZ5 (14MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the SZ5 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

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The SZ5 was introduced 3 years earlier than the K-3 II and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a concise summation of how the SZ5 grades against the K-3 II in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ5 over the Pentax K-3 II

 SZ5 K-3 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic SZ5

 K-3 II SZ5 
LaunchedApril 2015July 2012More recent by 33 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-3 II

 SZ5 K-3 II 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither includes Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to lug around your camera, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ5 features outer measurements of 104mm x 58mm x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the SZ5 versus the K-3 II.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ5 and K-3 II is 95 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor measurements just by seeing a spec sheet. The graphic here may offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ5 and K-3 II.

Clearly, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The SZ5 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 II will show extra detail using its extra 10MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics much more aggressively. The older SZ5 will be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ5
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
34
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
provides face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
79
manual focus
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-3 II Street photography highlights
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (136g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
good high ISO (51,200)
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Sports photography features
Pentax K-3 II Sports photography features
40
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proof
supports phase detect auto focus
bad battery (720 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Travel photography info
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography info
70
lighter than others in class (136 grams)
megapixel count good (14MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
no Timelapse function
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
56
weather proof
resolution is good (24MP)
bad battery (720 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ5 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-3 II Landscape photography details
42
relatively wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse function
78
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
weather proof
has dual storage slots
bad battery (720 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ5
Vlogging with Pentax K-3 II
32
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than others in class (136g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no external microphone support
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with mic jack
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ5 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ5 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5Pentax K-3 II
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ5 Pentax K-3 II
Category Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-07-18 2015-04-23
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4320 x 3240 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3" 3.2"
Display resolution 230k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology TFT Screen LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 8.3 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m no built-in flash
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash)
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720p ( 30,25 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Optional
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None BuiltIn
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136 grams (0.30 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 21mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.6
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.6
DXO Low light score not tested 1106
Other
Battery life 250 images 720 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 secs) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One 2
Price at launch $195 $829