Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500
94 Imaging
40 Features
31 Overall
36
64 Imaging
58 Features
70 Overall
62
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- 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
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51600
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/6000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
- Released November 2013
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Overview
Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-500, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is pretty well matched but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) feature different sensor measurements.
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a LandslideThe SZ8 was unveiled 2 months after the K-500 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before going through a complete comparison, below is a quick overview of how the SZ8 scores against the K-500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Gallery
Here is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and Pentax K-500. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery and Pentax K-500 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-500
SZ8 | K-500 |
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Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic SZ8
K-500 | SZ8 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | Dial accurate focus | |||
Screen resolution | 921k | 460k | Crisper screen (+461k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-500
SZ8 | K-500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | January 2014 | November 2013 | Similar generation | |
Screen type | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed screen | |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" | Equivalent screen measurements | |
Selfie screen | Neither provides selfie screen | |||
Touch screen | Neither provides Touch screen |
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to travel with your camera, you will need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 provides outer measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Pentax K-500 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-500 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SZ8 versus the K-500.
Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and K-500 is 94 and 64 respectively.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison
In many cases, it is very difficult to imagine the gap between sensor dimensions merely by reading through specifications. The pic underneath will provide you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and K-500.
To sum up, both of these cameras offer the same exact resolution albeit different sensor dimensions. The SZ8 features the tinier sensor which is going to make achieving shallower depth of field more challenging.
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Pentax K-500 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 | Pentax K-500 |
Type | Small Sensor Superzoom | Entry-Level DSLR |
Released | 2014-01-06 | 2013-11-27 |
Physical type | Compact | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | Venus Engine | PRIME M |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 16 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 1600 | 51600 |
Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 100 | 100 |
RAW photos | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Selective autofocus | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Autofocus live view | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 24-288mm (12.0x) | - |
Maximum aperture | f/3.1-6.3 | - |
Number of lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 3" | 3" |
Resolution of screen | 460 thousand dots | 921 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Screen technology | TFT LCD | TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 8 seconds | 30 seconds |
Max shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/6000 seconds |
Continuous shutter rate | 1.0 frames per second | 6.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated 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 Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless |
External flash | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | - | 1/180 seconds |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
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 424 (30,25,24 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video file format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 159 grams (0.35 pounds) | 646 grams (1.42 pounds) |
Dimensions | 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") | 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 79 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1087 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 200 pictures | 710 pictures |
Form of battery | Battery Pack | AA |
Battery ID | - | 4 x AA |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Storage type | SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | One | One |
Launch pricing | $275 | $600 |