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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1

Portability
95
Imaging
38
Features
41
Overall
39
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax 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
  • Launched January 2012
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Released March 2011
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 Overview

In this article, we are analyzing the Panasonic SZ7 versus Pentax S1, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ7 (14MP) and the S1 (14MP) is very close and they possess the same exact sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ7 was announced 11 months later than the S1 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Each of these cameras offer the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the SZ7 matches up versus the S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Pentax S1

 SZ7 S1 
ReleasedJanuary 2012March 2011More recent by 11 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kSharper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic SZ7

 S1 SZ7 
Focus manually More accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax S1

 SZ7 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ7 offers outside dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") and a weight of 133 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax S1 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") having a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ7 versus Pentax S1 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the SZ7 and the S1.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and S1 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements only by looking through a spec sheet. The graphic below will offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the SZ7 and S1.

As you can see, both of those cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing and the exact same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of photos but you should consider the release date of the cameras into account. The fresher SZ7 is going to have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography advice
Pentax S1 Portrait photography advice
34
megapixel count decent (14MP)
comes with face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Street photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Street photography camera
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average in class (133 grams)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Sports photography info
Pentax S1 Sports photography info
44
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
comes with tracking autofocus
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
offers tracking focus
low fps (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography factors
Pentax S1 Travel photography factors
70
lighter than average in class (133g)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long reach (250mm)
no Time Lapse function
does not offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax S1 Landscape photography highlights
42
pretty wide (25mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
no Time Lapse function
42
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging advice
Pentax S1 Vlogging advice
35
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than average in class (133 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
no external mic socket
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Pentax Optio S1
Type Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Launched 2012-01-09 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.1-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focusing range 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133 gr (0.29 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 220 photos 260 photos
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Launch cost $199 $174