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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
90
Imaging
43
Features
58
Overall
49
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS40
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 240g - 111 x 64 x 34mm
  • Launched January 2014
  • Other Name is Lumix DMC-TZ60
  • Previous Model is Panasonic ZS35
  • Updated by Panasonic ZS45
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Launched April 2014
  • Updated by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Following is a in depth overview of the Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3, former is a Small Sensor Superzoom while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap between the image resolutions of the ZS40 (18MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the ZS40 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor sizing.

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The ZS40 was introduced 3 months before the K-3 so they are of a similar age. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic ZS40 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a short overview of how the ZS40 grades vs the K-3 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS40 over the Pentax K-3

 ZS40 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic ZS40

 K-3 ZS40 
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1037k920kClearer screen (+117k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-3

 ZS40 K-3 
LaunchedJanuary 2014April 2014Similar age
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS40 features physical dimensions of 111mm x 64mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") along with a weight of 240 grams (0.53 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at the time. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the ZS40 against the K-3.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the ZS40 and K-3 is 90 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading a spec sheet. The image below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the ZS40 and K-3.

Clearly, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The ZS40 with its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax K-3 will deliver extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop pictures more aggressively.

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Portrait photography info
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography info
52
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
comes with face detect focusing
exports RAW formats
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
79
focusing manually
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Street photography factors
Pentax K-3 Street photography factors
69
built in image stabilization (Optical)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition (240 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
54
amazing zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
comes with tracking focus
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS40
Travel photography with Pentax K-3
69
lighter than competition (240 grams)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
flash built-in
rather wide (24mm)
very long reach (720mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (24MP)
built-in flash
terrible battery (560 per charge)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-3 Landscape photography highlights
56
manual focus
rather wide (24mm)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
sensor resolution is decent (18MP)
exports RAW formats
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
no Time Lapse recording
77
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW files
environment proof
has double storage slots
terrible battery (560 per charge)
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS40 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-3 Vlogging factors
34
rather wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detect focusing
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition (240g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is not selfie friendly
no mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have mic port
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic ZS40 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS40 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40Pentax K-3
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS40 Pentax K-3
Also called Lumix DMC-TZ60 -
Category Small Sensor Superzoom Advanced DSLR
Launched 2014-01-06 2014-04-10
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Venus Engine Prime III
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixel 24 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4896 x 3672 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 3200 51200
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 23 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 24-720mm (30.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-6.4 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3 inch 3.2 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 1,037k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen technology TFT LCD with AR coating TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 8.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.40 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Max video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS BuiltIn Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 240 grams (0.53 lb) 800 grams (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 111 x 64 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.3") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life 300 images 560 images
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Dual
Launch cost $450 $639