Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-1
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
55 Imaging
75 Features
82 Overall
77
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-1 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 1600 (Raise 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
(Full Review)
- 36MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Fully Articulated Screen
- ISO 100 - 204800
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 1010g - 137 x 110 x 86mm
- Launched February 2016
- Successor is Pentax K-1 II
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Here, we will be matching up the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax K-1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizable gap between the resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) offer different sensor sizes.
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhoneThe SZ8 was unveiled 3 years earlier than the K-1 which is quite a significant difference as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a short summation of how the SZ8 grades against the K-1 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.
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Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 & Pentax K-1. The full galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery & Pentax K-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-1
| SZ8 | K-1 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-1 over the Panasonic SZ8
| K-1 | SZ8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launched | February 2016 | January 2014 | More modern by 25 months | |
| Focus manually | More exact focus | |||
| Screen type | Fully Articulated | Fixed | Fully Articulating screen | |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
| Screen resolution | 1037k | 460k | Sharper screen (+577k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-1
| SZ8 | K-1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selfie screen | Neither has selfie screen | |||
| Touch screen | Neither has Touch screen |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-1 Physical Comparison
When you are planning to carry around your camera often, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ8 has exterior measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has sizing of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") with a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).
Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 versus Pentax K-1 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Below is a front view scale comparison of the SZ8 against the K-1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and K-1 is 94 and 55 respectively.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-1 Sensor Comparison
Normally, it is very tough to picture the gap between sensor sizes only by checking technical specs. The pic underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and K-1.
As you can tell, both the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The SZ8 using its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh harder and the Pentax K-1 will resolve extra detail having an extra 20 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged SZ8 is going to be behind with regard to sensor tech.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-1 Screen and ViewFinder
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-1 Specifications
| Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Pentax K-1 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Manufacturer | Panasonic | Pentax |
| Model | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Pentax K-1 |
| Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Advanced DSLR |
| Released | 2014-01-06 | 2016-02-17 |
| Physical type | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Processor Chip | Venus Engine | - |
| Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
| Sensor size | 1/2.3" | Full frame |
| Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 35.9 x 24mm |
| Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 861.6mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 16MP | 36MP |
| Anti aliasing filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
| Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 7360 x 4912 |
| Max native ISO | 1600 | 204800 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
| Lowest native ISO | 100 | 100 |
| RAW pictures | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Focus manually | ||
| Touch to focus | ||
| Continuous autofocus | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Autofocus multi area | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Number of focus points | 9 | 33 |
| Cross focus points | - | 25 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mounting type | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
| Lens focal range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | - |
| Max aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | - |
| Total lenses | - | 151 |
| Crop factor | 5.9 | 1 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Fully Articulated |
| Display sizing | 3" | 3.2" |
| Resolution of display | 460 thousand dots | 1,037 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch capability | ||
| Display technology | TFT LCD | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
| Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.7x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 8s | 30s |
| Max shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/8000s |
| Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 4.4 frames per second |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manually set exposure | ||
| Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
| Set white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Inbuilt flash | ||
| Flash range | 5.20 m | no built-in flash |
| Flash settings | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync |
| External flash | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | - | 1/200s |
| 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 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p) |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Mic support | ||
| Headphone support | ||
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | Built-In | Built-In |
| Bluetooth | ||
| NFC | ||
| HDMI | ||
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| GPS | None | Built-in |
| Physical | ||
| Environment sealing | ||
| Water proof | ||
| Dust proof | ||
| Shock proof | ||
| Crush proof | ||
| Freeze proof | ||
| Weight | 159 gr (0.35 lbs) | 1010 gr (2.23 lbs) |
| Physical dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 137 x 110 x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall score | not tested | 96 |
| DXO Color Depth score | not tested | 25.4 |
| DXO Dynamic range score | not tested | 14.6 |
| DXO Low light score | not tested | 3280 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 200 images | 760 images |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery model | - | D-LI90 |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom) |
| Time lapse recording | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) |
| Card slots | 1 | 2 |
| Pricing at release | $275 | $1,499 |