Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31


84 Imaging
37 Features
60 Overall
46
Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Key Specs
(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
- Launched May 2009
- Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/1.7" Sensor
- 3" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 12800
- Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
- 391g - 122 x 61 x 51mm
- Released July 2013

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Overview
Its time to look more closely at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax MX-1, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the other is a Small Sensor Compact by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the MX-1 (12MP) is fairly comparable but the ZS3 (1/2.3") and MX-1 (1/1.7") posses different sensor dimensions.

The ZS3 was launched 5 years prior to the MX-1 which is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have the same body design (Compact).
Before getting right into a detailed comparison, here is a short synopsis of how the ZS3 grades versus the MX-1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and Pentax MX-1. The complete galleries are available at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery and Pentax MX-1 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax MX-1
ZS3 | MX-1 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax MX-1 over the Panasonic ZS3
MX-1 | ZS3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Released | July 2013 | ![]() | May 2009 | More modern by 50 months |
Manually focus | ![]() | Dial precise focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | Tilting display |
Display resolution | 920k | ![]() | 460k | Crisper display (+460k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax MX-1
ZS3 | MX-1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Equal display sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Neither offers Touch friendly display |
Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Physical Comparison
In case you're going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 offers outside measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") and a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax MX-1 has sizing of 122mm x 61mm x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") having a weight of 391 grams (0.86 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax MX-1 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that moment. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the ZS3 versus the MX-1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and MX-1 is 91 and 84 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, its difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizes simply by seeing a spec sheet. The picture below may offer you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS3 and MX-1.
Clearly, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The ZS3 because of its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Pentax MX-1 will produce more detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax MX-1 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Pentax MX-1 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Pentax MX-1 |
Also referred to as | Lumix DMC-TZ7 | - |
Category | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Launched | 2009-05-14 | 2013-07-01 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/1.7" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 7.44 x 5.58mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 41.5mm² |
Sensor resolution | 10 megapixel | 12 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 |
Peak resolution | 3648 x 2736 | 4000 x 3000 |
Highest native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW files | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
AF touch | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
AF tracking | ||
Selective AF | ||
Center weighted AF | ||
Multi area AF | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect AF | ||
Contract detect AF | ||
Phase detect AF | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-300mm (12.0x) | 28-112mm (4.0x) |
Maximum aperture | f/3.3-4.9 | f/1.8-2.5 |
Macro focusing range | 3cm | 1cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.9 | 4.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Tilting |
Display diagonal | 3" | 3" |
Display resolution | 460 thousand dot | 920 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch functionality | ||
Display technology | - | TFT LCD with AR coating |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 seconds | 30 seconds |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/2000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Continuous shutter speed | 2.0 frames/s | 1.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Expose Manually | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Custom WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Inbuilt flash | ||
Flash distance | 5.30 m (Auto ISO) | 12.00 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Speed sync, Trailing Curtain sync |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
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 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Highest video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | AVCHD Lite | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Eye-Fi Connected |
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 lbs) | 391g (0.86 lbs) |
Physical dimensions | 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") | 122 x 61 x 51mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 2.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 49 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 20.4 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.3 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 208 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 290 images |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-Li-106 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 12 sec) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Retail price | $200 | $400 |