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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(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
Pentax K-500
(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
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-500

 SZ8 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-500 SZ8 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Screen resolution921k460kCrisper screen (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-500

 SZ8 K-500 
ReleasedJanuary 2014November 2013Similar generation
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen sizing3"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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and K-500 is 94 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography advice
35
good resolution (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
has manual focus
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography information
Pentax K-500 Street photography information
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
great ISO range (51,600)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Sports photography camera
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
has no phase detect AF
72
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
provides tracking autofocus
good battery pack (710 per charge)
comes with phase detect AF
max fps very slow (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography details
Pentax K-500 Travel photography details
67
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
67
good battery pack (710 shots)
MP count decent (16MP)
has built in flash
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Landscape photography camera
42
decently wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good resolution (16MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
terrible battery power (200 CIPA)
no Time Lapse mode
79
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (710 CIPA)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
32
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic jack
30
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
screen is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external mic support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax 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