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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
26
Overall
32
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 front
 
Pentax K-01 front
Portability
76
Imaging
57
Features
68
Overall
61

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Key Specs

Panasonic ZR3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-200mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 159g - 98 x 55 x 26mm
  • Revealed January 2010
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-ZX3
Pentax K-01
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Increase to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 561g - 122 x 79 x 58mm
  • Released May 2012
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Overview

Here is a complete assessment of the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-01, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZR3 (14MP) and the K-01 (16MP) is very well matched but the ZR3 (1/2.3") and K-01 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

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The ZR3 was manufactured 3 years prior to the K-01 and that is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZR3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-01 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a more detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZR3 matches up versus the K-01 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZR3 over the Pentax K-01

 ZR3 K-01 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-01 over the Panasonic ZR3

 K-01 ZR3 
ReleasedMay 2012January 2010Fresher by 28 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-01

 ZR3 K-01 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch display Neither includes Touch display

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry your camera, you should take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic ZR3 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") with a weight of 159 grams (0.35 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-01 has specifications of 122mm x 79mm x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3") and a weight of 561 grams (1.24 lbs).

See the Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-01 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are utilising at that moment. Below is a front view over all size comparison of the ZR3 vs the K-01.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the ZR3 and K-01 is 94 and 76 respectively.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is hard to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing just by looking at technical specs. The visual underneath should offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZR3 and K-01.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The ZR3 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-01 will give you more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics way more aggressively. The older ZR3 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZR3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-01
28
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Street photography details
Pentax K-01 Street photography details
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no articulating screen
heavier than competition (561g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-01 Sports photography details
37
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
offers tracking autofocus
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
61
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
good battery life (540 shots)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
has no phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZR3
Travel photography with Pentax K-01
65
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
65
good battery life (540 CIPA)
good resolution (16MP)
has built in flash
heavier than competition (561 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-01 as a Landscape photography camera
37
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
80
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
good battery life (540 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZR3 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-01 Vlogging advice
29
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with external mic support
display is not selfie friendly
heavier than competition (561g)
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Panasonic ZR3 vs Pentax K-01 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZR3 and Pentax K-01
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3Pentax K-01
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3 Pentax K-01
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-ZX3 -
Class Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Revealed 2010-01-26 2012-05-30
Physical type Compact SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine HD II -
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 12800
Highest enhanced ISO - 25600
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 81
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-200mm (8.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/1300 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow-speed Sync, Trailing Curtain Sync
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps),1280 x 720 (60, 50, 30, 25, 24 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 25, 24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format AVCHD Lite MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 159g (0.35 lb) 561g (1.24 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 26mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.0") 122 x 79 x 58mm (4.8" x 3.1" x 2.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 1135
Other
Battery life - 540 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $280 $899