Panasonic ZS3 vs Pentax ist DS2

Let's look a bit more closely at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax ist DS2, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the sensor resolutions of the ZS3 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the ZS3 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) offer different sensor size.

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The ZS3 was announced 3 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic ZS3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a concise overview of how the ZS3 scores versus the ist DS2 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Below is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 and Pentax ist DS2. The whole galleries are viewable at Panasonic ZS3 Gallery and Pentax ist DS2 Gallery.

For anybody who is going to carry around your camera, you will need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS3 enjoys 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 ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic ZS3 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you are employing at the time. The following is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS3 compared to the ist DS2.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the ZS3 and ist DS2 is 91 and 68 respectively.

Normally, it is difficult to visualize the gap between sensor sizes merely by reading through technical specs. The pic here may provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the ZS3 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, both of those cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The ZS3 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF trickier and the Panasonic ZS3 will give you greater detail with its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will help you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more recent ZS3 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.