Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-1

Let's look closer at the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a crucial difference among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) use totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS3 was revealed 7 years prior to the K-1 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a detailed comparison, below is a quick view of how the ZS3 scores vs the K-1 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Here is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and Pentax K-1. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery and Pentax K-1 Gallery.

For those who are aiming to lug around your camera often, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 offers outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") along with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-1 has proportions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are working with at the time. Below is the front view proportions comparison of the ZS3 vs the K-1.

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and K-1 is 91 and 55 respectively.

Generally, it is very difficult to envision the contrast in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will help provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and K-1.

Clearly, the 2 cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The ZS3 with its smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-1 will render more detail because of its extra 26MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The older ZS3 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.