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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Announced January 2014
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Boost to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Launched December 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Here is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and K-x (12MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) posses different sensor sizes.

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The SZ8 was manufactured 4 years later than the K-x and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving right into a in depth comparison, here is a quick highlight of how the SZ8 matches up against the K-x with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax K-x

 SZ8 K-x 
LaunchedJanuary 2014December 2009Fresher by 50 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic SZ8

 K-x SZ8 
Manually focus Very exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-x

 SZ8 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you're planning to carry your camera, you'll have to factor its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 features outside 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) while the Pentax K-x has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is a front view measurement comparison of the SZ8 vs the K-x.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and K-x is 94 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, its hard to imagine the gap between sensor sizing just by reading through technical specs. The photograph here will help provide you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and K-x.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The SZ8 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Panasonic SZ8 will give you greater detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics more aggressively. The younger SZ8 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic SZ8
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
35
good megapixels (16MP)
provides face detect focusing
no manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
63
manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
delivers RAW formats
MP count low (12 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography factors
Pentax K-x Street photography factors
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others in class (159g)
fixed screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Sports photography features
Pentax K-x Sports photography features
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
continuous shooting slow (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
terrible battery (200 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect AF
61
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
better than average battery life (1,900 CIPA)
has phase detect autofocus
slow fps (5.0 fps)
MP count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
good megapixels (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
no Time Lapse mode
terrible battery (200 shots)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
54
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (12MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax K-x
42
relatively wide (24mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
good megapixels (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
terrible battery (200 per charge)
no Time Lapse mode
61
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
better than average battery life (1,900 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inch)
MP count low (12MP)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic SZ8
Vlogging with Pentax K-x
32
relatively wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
lighter than others in class (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection autofocus
screen is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax K-x
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax K-x
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2014-01-06 2009-12-23
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 5.20 m 16.00 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 pounds) 580g (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life 200 photographs 1900 photographs
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Price at release $275 $600