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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 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
  • Revealed January 2012
Pentax K-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Revealed August 2014
  • New Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-S1, one is a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a significant gap between the resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and K-S1 (20MP) and the SZ7 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor size.

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The SZ7 was unveiled 3 years prior to the K-S1 which is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a full comparison, here is a concise summation of how the SZ7 matches up vs the K-S1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Pentax K-S1

 SZ7 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic SZ7

 K-S1 SZ7 
RevealedAugust 2014January 2012Newer by 32 months
Manually focus Very accurate focus
Screen resolution921k460kSharper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-S1

 SZ7 K-S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ7 features exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax K-S1 has dimensions of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") having a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Check the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-S1 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 change dependant on the lens you select during that time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 versus the K-S1.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ7 and K-S1 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it's hard to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions purely by going over specifications. The image here will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ7 and K-S1.

To sum up, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The SZ7 using its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field more difficult and the Pentax K-S1 will offer greater detail having an extra 6MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ7 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography features
33
MP count good (14 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
can't use external flash
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
77
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Street photography information
Pentax K-S1 Street photography information
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
very good high ISO (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Sports photography camera
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
comes with tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
has phase detect AF
slow fps (5.4 fps)
low battery (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography information
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography information
70
lighter than competition (133g)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (25mm)
long zoom (250mm)
missing Time Lapse function
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery (410 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography details
42
decently wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual exposure
tiny sensor (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
73
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW files
low battery (410 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-S1 as a Vlogging camera
35
decently wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (133 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
missing mic support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone port
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Pentax K-S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Pentax K-S1
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2012-01-09 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime MII
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 5472 x 3648
Max native ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 4cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 fps)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 133g (0.29 pounds) 558g (1.23 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 78
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 220 images 410 images
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $199 $339