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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-S1 front
Portability
69
Imaging
63
Features
70
Overall
65

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 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-S1
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 558g - 121 x 93 x 70mm
  • Launched August 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-S2
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 Overview

Lets look closer at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-S1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the K-S1 (20MP) is very comparable but the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-S1 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor size.

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The SZ8 was announced 7 months earlier than the K-S1 so they are both of a similar generation. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-S1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the SZ8 matches up versus the K-S1 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-S1

 SZ8 K-S1 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-S1 SZ8 
LaunchedAugust 2014January 2014Fresher by 7 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display resolution921k460kCrisper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-S1

 SZ8 K-S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimension3"3"Identical display size
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry your camera frequently, you'll need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic SZ8 features 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-S1 has measurements of 121mm x 93mm x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8") and a weight of 558 grams (1.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-S1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Following is the front view sizing comparison of the SZ8 vs the K-S1.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and K-S1 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing just by going through specifications. The photograph here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and K-S1.

To sum up, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ8 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-S1 will show more detail with its extra 4MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop images much more aggressively. The older SZ8 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-S1 Portrait photography highlights
35
megapixel count good (16MP)
supports face detection autofocus
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
77
focusing manually
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography features
Pentax K-S1 Street photography features
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (159g)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
73
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
very good high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax K-S1
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 per charge)
lack of phase detect autofocus
69
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
comes with phase detect autofocus
max fps very slow (5.4 frames/s)
bad battery pack (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-S1 Travel photography advice
67
lighter than average (159 grams)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
decently wide (24mm)
very long zoom (288mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
60
lighter than competitors in class (558 grams)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (410 shots)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S1 Landscape photography features
42
decently wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
no manual control
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
73
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (20 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
does not have low pass filter
very good high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
bad battery pack (410 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Pentax K-S1
32
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection autofocus
lighter than average (159 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external mic jack
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competitors in class (558g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
doesn't have microphone port
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-S1
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Released 2014-01-06 2014-08-27
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 20 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 5472 x 3648
Maximum native ISO 1600 51200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 8s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0 frames per second 5.4 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto + redeye, on, on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
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 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG H.264
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159 gr (0.35 lb) 558 gr (1.23 lb)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 121 x 93 x 70mm (4.8" x 3.7" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 78
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.5
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1061
Other
Battery life 200 pictures 410 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Retail price $275 $339