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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax Optio S1 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
31
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 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
  • Introduced May 2009
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax S1
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 Overview

The following is a in depth comparison of the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax S1, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and S1 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was revealed 21 months before the S1 making them a generation away from each other. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving right into a detailed comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the ZS3 grades vs the S1 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax S1

 ZS3 S1 
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kCrisper display (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax S1 over the Panasonic ZS3

 S1 ZS3 
LaunchedMarch 2011May 2009Newer by 21 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax S1

 ZS3 S1 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS3 comes with physical dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) while the Pentax S1 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Check the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax S1 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you choose at the time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the ZS3 compared to the S1.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the ZS3 and S1 is 91 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to envision the gap in sensor dimensions merely by going through a spec sheet. The picture below might provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and S1.

As you can see, both of those cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can anticipate the Pentax S1 to produce more detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The more aged ZS3 will be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic ZS3
Portrait photography with Pentax S1
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual exposure
external flash not possible
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
35
has manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
no manual mode
external flash not possible
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS3
Street photography with Pentax S1
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
56
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no moving screen
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Sports photography factors
Pentax S1 Sports photography factors
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
39
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
provides tracking focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS3
Travel photography with Pentax S1
63
lighter than competition (229g)
has built in flash
pretty wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (10 megapixels)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow max aperture (f3.3)
64
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
missing Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS3
Landscape photography with Pentax S1
35
pretty wide (25mm)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
lack of manual exposure
MP count low (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
42
has manual focus
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor size is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
missing Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Vlogging highlights
Pentax S1 Vlogging highlights
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229g)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone port
28
rather wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic jack
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax S1 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax S1
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax Optio S1
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax Optio S1
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Compact
Introduced 2009-05-14 2011-03-02
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Max native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Maximal aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 4s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1500s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 grams (0.50 lb) 157 grams (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots One One
Launch price $200 $174