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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Introduced January 2014
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Push to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched October 2009
  • Replacement is Pentax K-5
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

The following is a in-depth comparison of the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-7, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is fairly well matched but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizes.

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The SZ8 was introduced 4 years after the K-7 which is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go in to a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick view of how the SZ8 grades against the K-7 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-7

 SZ8 K-7 
LaunchedJanuary 2014October 2009Newer by 52 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-7 SZ8 
Manually focus Very exact focus
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-7

 SZ8 K-7 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display dimensions
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch display Neither contains Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic SZ8 has got exterior dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") and a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-7 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you use during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the SZ8 against the K-7.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the SZ8 and K-7 is 94 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be hard to envision the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading through technical specs. The image below might provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and K-7.

As you can tell, both of these cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The SZ8 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Panasonic SZ8 will resolve greater detail using its extra 1 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also make it easier to crop pics much more aggressively. The more recent SZ8 is going to have a benefit in sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography highlights
35
good MP (16 megapixels)
offers face detection focus
no manual focus
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax K-7
34
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16 megapixels)
low fps (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have phase detect auto focus
69
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic SZ8
Travel photography with Pentax K-7
67
lighter than competition (159 grams)
good MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
great zoom (288mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
not so great battery pack (200 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment sealing
megapixel count good (15MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography advice
42
relatively wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
good MP (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
not so great battery pack (200 per charge)
lack of Timelapse mode
77
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (15 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Pentax K-7
32
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
offers face detection focus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
does not have selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of external microphone port
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
no microphone support
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-7
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-06 2009-10-02
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 1600 2000
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 750g (1.65 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 200 images 980 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Retail price $275 $599