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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1

Portability
94
Imaging
40
Features
31
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 Key Specs

Panasonic SZ8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600 (Push to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-288mm (F3.1-6.3) lens
  • 159g - 100 x 60 x 27mm
  • Revealed January 2014
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the SZ8 (16MP) and the S1 (14MP) is relatively well matched and they possess the exact same sensor measurements (1/2.3").

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The SZ8 was released 2 years later than the S1 and that is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras come with the identical body type (Compact).

Before getting through a in depth comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the SZ8 matches up vs the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic SZ8 over the Pentax S1

 SZ8 S1 
IntroducedJanuary 2014March 2011More recent by 35 months
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic SZ8

 S1 SZ8 
Focus manually More precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax S1

 SZ8 S1 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to lug around your camera frequently, you're going to have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic SZ8 enjoys outside dimensions of 100mm x 60mm x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") having a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has specifications of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you use at that moment. Here is the front view proportions comparison of the SZ8 versus the S1.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the SZ8 and S1 is 94 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to imagine the gap between sensor measurements purely by checking technical specs. The photograph underneath will help offer you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the SZ8 and S1.

As you have seen, the two cameras have got the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You can count on the Panasonic SZ8 to resolve greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The newer SZ8 should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Portrait photography factors
Pentax S1 Portrait photography factors
35
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
comes with face detect focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
35
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
manual mode not possible
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic SZ8
Street photography with Pentax S1
63
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (159g)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
56
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic SZ8
Sports photography with Pentax S1
34
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
slow fps (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery pack (200 shots)
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
39
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Travel photography info
Pentax S1 Travel photography info
67
lighter than competitors (159 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
reasonably wide (24mm)
long zoom (288mm)
missing Timelapse recording
bad battery pack (200 CIPA)
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse function
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax S1 as a Landscape photography camera
42
reasonably wide (24mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
lack of manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
bad battery pack (200 per charge)
missing Timelapse recording
42
manual focus
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic SZ8 Vlogging factors
Pentax S1 Vlogging factors
32
reasonably wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focus
lighter than competitors (159g)
slow maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone port
28
reasonably wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing external mic socket
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Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 Pentax Optio S1
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Revealed 2014-01-06 2011-03-02
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 1600 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-288mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.3 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range - 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 8 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter rate 1.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.20 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p), 320 x 240 (30p) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 159 grams (0.35 pounds) 157 grams (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 100 x 60 x 27mm (3.9" x 2.4" x 1.1") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 photos 260 photos
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch cost $275 $174