Panasonic SZ8 vs Pentax ist DL2

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax ist DL2, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a significant difference between the image resolutions of the SZ8 (16MP) and ist DL2 (6MP) and the SZ8 (1/2.3") and ist DL2 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The SZ8 was released 8 years later than the ist DL2 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as tech is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic SZ8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DL2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the SZ8 scores vs the ist DL2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-SZ8 and Pentax ist DL2. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic SZ8 Gallery and Pentax ist DL2 Gallery.

For those who are intending to lug around your camera regularly, you'll have to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic SZ8 has got 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) and the Pentax ist DL2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 565 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Panasonic SZ8 and Pentax ist DL2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the SZ8 and the ist DL2.

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the SZ8 and ist DL2 is 94 and 69 respectively.

Usually, it is very hard to see the gap between sensor measurements purely by reading through a spec sheet. The visual here may offer you a far better sense of the sensor measurements in the SZ8 and ist DL2.

Clearly, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The SZ8 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF harder and the Panasonic SZ8 will give greater detail as a result of its extra 10MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop photographs much more aggressively. The younger SZ8 is going to have an edge when it comes to sensor innovation.