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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Panasonic ZS3
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • 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
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Announced December 2009
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax K-x, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is very close but the ZS3 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

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The ZS3 was brought out 7 months prior to the K-x so they are of a similar generation. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the ZS3 matches up vs the K-x in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax K-x

 ZS3 K-x 
Display sizing3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic ZS3

 K-x ZS3 
AnnouncedDecember 2009May 2009Newer by 7 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-x

 ZS3 K-x 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to travel with your camera, you have to consider its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS3 offers outer dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has specifications of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") having a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax K-x in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you use during that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS3 and the K-x.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and K-x is 91 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be tough to visualise the gap in sensor dimensions purely by researching a spec sheet. The pic underneath should give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and K-x.

As you can see, the 2 cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The ZS3 because of its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF harder and the Pentax K-x will result in more detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will let you crop pics far more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be behind in sensor technology.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Portrait photography camera
19
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
63
you can focus manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography advice
Pentax K-x Street photography advice
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
fixed screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-x Sports photography highlights
24
image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
61
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
has phase detect AF
max fps low (5.0 fps)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
63
lighter than competition (229 grams)
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
very long reach (300mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
sensor resolution low (10MP)
does not have selfie friendly screen
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
54
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography details
Pentax K-x Landscape photography details
35
pretty wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
61
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
better than average battery pack (1,900 shots)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging features
Pentax K-x Vlogging features
30
pretty wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have mic port
27
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect focusing
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have microphone port
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax K-x
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-05-14 2009-12-23
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Highest enhanced ISO - 12800
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-300mm (12.0x) -
Highest aperture f/3.3-4.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
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 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 229g (0.50 lb) 580g (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $200 $600