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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Introduced January 2012
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Raise to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Announced May 2012
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Below, we are evaluating the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-01, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is fairly similar but the SZ7 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ7 was released 4 months before the K-01 which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a concise synopsis of how the SZ7 grades vs the K-01 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Pentax K-01

 SZ7 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic SZ7

 K-01 SZ7 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-01

 SZ7 K-01 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012May 2012Similar generation
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Missing Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is going to travel with your camera, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ7 enjoys outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") having a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has specifications of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-01 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ7 compared to the K-01.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ7 and K-01 is 95 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it's difficult to visualise the difference between sensor dimensions simply by going over a spec sheet. The image below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ7 and K-01.

As you can see, both of those cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The SZ7 featuring a tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Pentax K-01 will offer more detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also help you crop images much more aggressively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
33
good resolution (14MP)
provides face detection focus
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ7
Street photography with Pentax K-01
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (133g)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen does not articulate
heavier than competition (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography factors
Pentax K-01 Sports photography factors
43
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
good battery pack (540 shots)
continuous shooting slow (6.0 frames per second)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-01 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than others (133g)
good resolution (14MP)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
does not offer selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
good battery pack (540 shots)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
heavier than competition (561g)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography advice
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (14MP)
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
80
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
good battery pack (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ7
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
35
decently wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than others (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly display
doesn't have external mic support
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has external mic port
does not have selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (561g)
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Pentax K-01
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Pentax K-01
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2012-01-09 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Max enhanced ISO - 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 23 81
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Max 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 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
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 133 grams (0.29 pounds) 561 grams (1.24 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.9
DXO Low light score not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 220 images 540 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
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 One One
Launch cost $199 $899