Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-3

Let's take a more detailed look at the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-3, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the ZS8 (14MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the ZS8 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor dimensions.

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The ZS8 was revealed 3 years prior to the K-3 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic ZS8 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go through a comprehensive comparison, below is a brief overview of how the ZS8 matches up against the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS8 and Pentax K-3. The full galleries are available at Panasonic ZS8 Gallery and Pentax K-3 Gallery.

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will have to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic ZS8 features exterior measurements of 105mm x 58mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.3") having a weight of 210 grams (0.46 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has sizing of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic ZS8 vs Pentax K-3 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilising at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the ZS8 compared to the K-3.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS8 and K-3 is 92 and 59 respectively.

Sometimes, it's hard to envision the gap between sensor sizing only by going over specs. The graphic here will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the ZS8 and K-3.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The ZS8 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-3 will offer you more detail because of its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older ZS8 is going to be behind in sensor innovation.