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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
41
Overall
38
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 front
 
Pentax ist DL2 front
Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ7
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 25-250mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 133g - 99 x 59 x 21mm
  • Released January 2012
Pentax ist DL2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 565g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Announced January 2006
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Overview

Here is a complete overview of the Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the SZ7 (14MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the SZ7 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) have different sensor size.

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The SZ7 was revealed 6 years later than the ist DL2 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ7 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a short summary of how the SZ7 grades vs the ist DL2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ7 over the Pentax ist DL2

 SZ7 ist DL2 
AnnouncedJanuary 2012January 2006Fresher by 73 months
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k210kCrisper screen (+250k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DL2 over the Panasonic SZ7

 ist DL2 SZ7 
Manually focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax ist DL2

 SZ7 ist DL2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch screen Neither has Touch screen

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry your camera regularly, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ7 has outer 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 ist DL2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are working with at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the SZ7 versus the ist DL2.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ7 and ist DL2 is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by researching technical specs. The graphic here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ7 and ist DL2.

As you have seen, each of the cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ7 using its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF harder and the Panasonic SZ7 will render extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures more aggressively. The more recent SZ7 should have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DL2 Portrait photography features
33
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
50
focusing manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ7
Street photography with Pentax ist DL2
63
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors (565g)
fixed screen
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DL2 as a Sports photography camera
43
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
no liveview
max fps low (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DL2 Travel photography info
70
lighter than competition in class (133g)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (25mm)
great reach (250mm)
lack of Time Lapse mode
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
52
lighter than competitors (565g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low MP (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ7
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DL2
42
really wide (25mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse mode
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ7 Vlogging features
Pentax ist DL2 Vlogging features
35
really wide (25mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competition in class (133 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of mic port
22
lighter than competitors (565g)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video quality not great ( pixels)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic SZ7 vs Pentax ist DL2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ7 and Pentax ist DL2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7Pentax ist DL2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ7 Pentax ist DL2
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2012-01-09 2006-01-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 6MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points 23 5
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 25-250mm (10.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 4cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of display 460k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames per second 3.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.60 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 -
Video data format MPEG-4, AVCHD -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 133 gr (0.29 pounds) 565 gr (1.25 pounds)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 21mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 65
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 639
Other
Battery life 220 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $199 -