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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • 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
  • Released January 2014
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed March 2009
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax P70, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Ultracompact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a considerable gap between the sensor resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and P70 (12MP) but they feature the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was announced 4 years later than the P70 and that is quite a large difference as far as technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax P70 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before diving in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief view of how the SZ8 scores vs the P70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax P70

 SZ8 P70 
RevealedJanuary 2014March 2009More recent by 60 months
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic SZ8

 P70 SZ8 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax P70

 SZ8 P70 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to lug around your camera often, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic SZ8 offers external dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") along with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax P70 has proportions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax P70 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilising at the time. Following is the front view size comparison of the SZ8 and the P70.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and P70 is 94 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements simply by reading technical specs. The photograph below will give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and P70.

As you can tell, both of those cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing but not the same MP. You can anticipate the Panasonic SZ8 to offer you more detail with its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop images far more aggressively. The more modern SZ8 is going to have an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
Pentax P70 Portrait photography factors
35
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
27
focusing manually
manual exposure not available
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Street photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Street photography camera
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (159g)
screen is fixed
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
47
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
more heavy than competition in class (155 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax P70
34
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
low battery power (200 shots)
no phase detect autofocus
17
max shutter speed is low (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition (159g)
sensor resolution is decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
long reach (288mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low battery power (200 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
56
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse function
more heavy than competition in class (155 grams)
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic SZ8
Landscape photography with Pentax P70
42
really wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
low battery power (200 shots)
does not have Timelapse function
32
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax P70 as a Vlogging camera
32
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect autofocus
lighter than competition (159 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
25
decently wide (28mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone port
more heavy than competition in class (155g)
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio P70
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Released 2014-01-06 2009-03-02
Body design Compact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 64
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus distance - 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3" 2.7"
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 1.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.20 m 4.60 m
Flash modes Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off -
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159g (0.35 pounds) 155g (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 shots -
Battery form Battery Pack -
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $275 $200