Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70
91 Imaging
33 Features
30 Overall
31


71 Imaging
34 Features
34 Overall
34
Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Key Specs
(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
(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

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").

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.

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 & Pentax X70. The whole galleries are available at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery & Pentax X70 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS3 over the Pentax X70
ZS3 | X70 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper 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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Revealed | May 2009 | ![]() | March 2009 | Same age |
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax X70 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 | Pentax 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 |