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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
55
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Announced May 2009
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Boost to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Announced October 2009
  • Renewed by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the image resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and K-7 (15MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizes.

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The ZS3 was announced 4 months prior to the K-7 which means that they are both of a similar age. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a complete comparison, here is a short highlight of how the ZS3 matches up versus the K-7 for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax K-7

 ZS3 K-7 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic ZS3

 K-7 ZS3 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display resolution921k460kSharper display (+461k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-7

 ZS3 K-7 
AnnouncedMay 2009October 2009Same age
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display dimensions
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic ZS3 has physical measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax K-7 has proportions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you have at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS3 compared to the K-7.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability rating of the ZS3 and K-7 is 91 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast in sensor sizing merely by looking through a spec sheet. The photograph here will give you a stronger sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS3 and K-7.

Clearly, both of the cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS3 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh tougher and the Pentax K-7 will result in greater detail with its extra 5MP. Greater resolution can also make it easier to crop pics a good deal more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-7
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
73
you can focus manually
MP count good (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography info
Pentax K-7 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography details
Pentax K-7 Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
70
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect AF
max frames per second low (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
Travel photography with Pentax K-7
63
lighter than competitors in class (229 grams)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse function
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
environment sealing
MP count good (15MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography info
Pentax K-7 Landscape photography info
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen is a decent size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (15MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging details
Pentax K-7 Vlogging details
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors in class (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone port
25
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
display is not selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
no external microphone socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax K-7
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax K-7
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-05-14 2009-10-02
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 15MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 2000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Resolution of display 460k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 13.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
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) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
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 229g (0.50 pounds) 750g (1.65 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life - 980 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Card slots Single Single
Cost at release $200 $599