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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Bump 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 KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Revealed January 2017
Photography Glossary

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Overview

Let's look a little more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax KP, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a big difference between the resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and KP (24MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and KP (APS-C) posses different sensor size.

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The SZ8 was revealed 4 years before the KP which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the SZ8 scores against the KP with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax KP

 SZ8 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Panasonic SZ8

 KP SZ8 
RevealedJanuary 2017January 2014More modern by 37 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax KP

 SZ8 KP 
Display dimensions3"3"Equal display size
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ8 features external measurements of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax KP has specifications of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") having a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax KP in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ dependant on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the SZ8 versus the KP.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and KP is 94 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to visualize the difference between sensor sizes only by looking at specifications. The pic here will offer you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the SZ8 and KP.

To sum up, each of the cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The SZ8 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh more challenging and the Pentax KP will resolve extra detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged SZ8 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography advice
Pentax KP Portrait photography advice
35
MP count good (16MP)
has face detection focusing
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
80
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Street photography info
Pentax KP Street photography info
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
76
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
good high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax KP
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16MP)
low fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
lacks phase detect AF
72
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
silent mode (1/24,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
low battery pack (390 CIPA)
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography highlights
Pentax KP Travel photography highlights
67
lighter than competition (159g)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (24mm)
very long reach (288mm)
missing Time Lapse function
bad battery pack (200 shots)
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
61
environment proofing
decent megapixels (24MP)
has built in flash
low battery pack (390 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax KP Landscape photography highlights
42
fairly wide (24mm)
good sized screen (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
can't switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
manual mode not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
bad battery pack (200 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent megapixels (24MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
low battery pack (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax KP as a Vlogging camera
32
fairly wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detection focusing
lighter than competition (159 grams)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external mic jack
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax KP
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax KP
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax KP
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2014-01-06 2017-01-26
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Maximum native ISO 1600 819200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 9 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 460 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Min shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/6000 seconds
Max silent shutter speed - 1/24000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
External flash
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 (60i, 30p)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 703g (1.55 lb)
Physical dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 200 images 390 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $275 $747