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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
30
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 front
 
Pentax X70 front
Portability
71
Imaging
34
Features
34
Overall
34

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 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
  • Revealed May 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ7
Pentax X70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 50 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-624mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 410g - 110 x 83 x 90mm
  • Revealed March 2009
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Overview

Lets look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax X70, both Small Sensor Superzoom cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the ZS3 (10MP) and the X70 (12MP) is relatively close and they use the same exact sensor sizes (1/2.3").

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The ZS3 was announced 3 months later than the X70 which means that they are both of a similar age. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax X70 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a brief view of how the ZS3 matches up against the X70 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax X70

 ZS3 X70 
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax X70 over the Panasonic ZS3

 X70 ZS3 
Manually focus Very accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax X70

 ZS3 X70 
RevealedMay 2009March 2009Same age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to lug around your camera regularly, you will have to think about its weight and size. The Panasonic ZS3 comes with exterior dimensions of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") with a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax X70 has specifications of 110mm x 83mm x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5") and a weight of 410 grams (0.90 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax X70 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are working with during that time. The following is the front view scale comparison of the ZS3 against the X70.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and X70 is 91 and 71 respectively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it can be hard to visualise the gap in sensor measurements just by researching a spec sheet. The photograph here might provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and X70.

As you can see, the two cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same megapixels. You can count on the Pentax X70 to result in more detail with its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Portrait photography info
Pentax X70 Portrait photography info
19
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
28
manual focus
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Street photography highlights
Pentax X70 Street photography highlights
60
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
no articulating screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
46
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax X70 as a Sports photography camera
24
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
50
amazing zoom range (26-624mm 24.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax X70 Travel photography highlights
63
lighter than competition (229g)
flash built-in
fairly wide (25mm)
very long zoom (300mm)
lack of Timelapse mode
low MP (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
52
flash built-in
reasonably wide (26mm)
great zoom (624mm)
does not have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 Landscape photography advice
Pentax X70 Landscape photography advice
35
fairly wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
manual exposure not possible
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Timelapse mode
35
manual focus
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
cannot swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
does not have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax X70 as a Vlogging camera
30
fairly wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competition (229 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external microphone jack
24
reasonably wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS3 and Pentax X70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3Pentax X70
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 Pentax X70
Also Known as Lumix DMC-TZ7 -
Type Small Sensor Superzoom Small Sensor Superzoom
Revealed 2009-05-14 2009-03-02
Physical type Compact SLR-like (bridge)
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 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 50
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 26-624mm (24.0x)
Maximum aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focus range 3cm 10cm
Crop factor 5.9 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 2.7 inch
Resolution of screen 460k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Electronic
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 9.10 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video file format AVCHD Lite Motion JPEG
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 grams (0.50 pounds) 410 grams (0.90 pounds)
Dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 110 x 83 x 90mm (4.3" x 3.3" x 3.5")
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 model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Card slots Single Single
Price at launch $200 $200