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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Released January 2014
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Revealed May 2012
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Lets take a closer look at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-01, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is relatively comparable but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The SZ8 was manufactured 20 months later than the K-01 which makes them a generation apart from each other. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the SZ8 matches up vs the K-01 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-01

 SZ8 K-01 
RevealedJanuary 2014May 2012Fresher by 20 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-01 SZ8 
Focus manually Dial precise focusing
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-01

 SZ8 K-01 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Lack of Touch friendly screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you're looking to carry your camera often, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 has outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax K-01 has measurements of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") with a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-01 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the SZ8 versus the K-01.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and K-01 is 94 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, its difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing merely by going through a spec sheet. The graphic below will provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and K-01.

As you can see, both of those cameras come with the identical MP albeit not the same sensor sizing. The SZ8 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make obtaining shallow DOF more difficult. The more modern SZ8 will have an edge in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Portrait photography camera
35
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
you can focus manually
good resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159 grams)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is fixed
heavier than competition (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-01 Sports photography highlights
34
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect autofocus
61
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (540 per charge)
low fps (6.0 frames per second)
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography features
Pentax K-01 Travel photography features
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
65
better than average battery (540 per charge)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
heavier than competition (561 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-01 Landscape photography features
42
decently wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
does not have Time Lapse recording
80
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (540 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Pentax K-01
32
decently wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than average (159 grams)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (561g)
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-01
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-01
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level Mirrorless
Released 2014-01-06 2012-05-30
Body design Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD 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 16MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Highest boosted ISO 6400 25600
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 9 81
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 460k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed 1.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 561g (1.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 540 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Price at launch $275 $899