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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
97
Imaging
40
Features
26
Overall
34
Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic XS1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 103g - 94 x 54 x 14mm
  • Released January 2013
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Later Model is Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic XS1 versus Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the image resolutions of the XS1 (16MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the XS1 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The XS1 was launched 15 months prior to the K-3 making them a generation away from one another. Both cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic XS1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going right into a thorough comparison, here is a short overview of how the XS1 grades against the K-3 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic XS1 over the Pentax K-3

 XS1 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic XS1

 K-3 XS1 
AnnouncedApril 2014January 2013More modern by 15 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display size3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kClearer display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-3

 XS1 K-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic XS1 has got physical measurements of 94mm x 54mm x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") and a weight of 103 grams (0.23 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has specifications of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic XS1 versus Pentax K-3 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you use during that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the XS1 against the K-3.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability score of the XS1 and K-3 is 97 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizes merely by checking out specs. The pic here may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the XS1 and K-3.

All in all, each of the cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The XS1 because of its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-3 will provide greater detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Greater resolution can also let you crop photos a good deal more aggressively. The more aged XS1 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography highlights
30
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
79
has manual focus
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
64
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
great high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic XS1 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
41
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
comes with tracking autofocus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather sealing
has phase detect AF
not so great battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic XS1
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
69
lighter than average (103g)
resolution is good (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
missing Time Lapse function
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
60
weather sealing
MP count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (560 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic XS1
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
39
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
77
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
not so great battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic XS1 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-3 Vlogging advice
31
relatively wide (24mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than average (103g)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing external mic port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic XS1 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic XS1 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-XS1 Pentax K-3
Class Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2013-01-07 2014-04-10
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 24-120mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3.2 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 1,037k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 103g (0.23 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 14mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.6") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 260 shots 560 shots
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Price at launch $130 $639