Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax K-S2

Here is a extensive review of the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-S2, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the SZ7 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The SZ7 was manufactured 4 years earlier than the K-S2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting in to a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ7 scores against the K-S2 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 and Pentax K-S2. The entire galleries are available at Panasonic SZ7 Gallery and Pentax K-S2 Gallery.

When you are going to carry your camera often, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ7 has got outside measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") with a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax K-S2 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you use at that time. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the SZ7 and the K-S2.

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the SZ7 and K-S2 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Usually, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizing just by reading specifications. The graphic here will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ7 and K-S2.

To sum up, each of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The SZ7 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S2 will offer more detail due to its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older SZ7 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.