• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.6 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • 1/2.33 inch 28.2mm2
  • 16.1 megapixels
  • 25.00mm - 250.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Pentax K-7 advantages over Panasonic SZ3

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/2.33 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.07 vs 1.33 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 740 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    921k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.2 fps vs 1.4 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/8000 vs 1/1600 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Panasonic SZ3 advantages over Pentax K-7

  • Thinner
    21 mm vs 73 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    126g vs 758g
    Lighter weight
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • Integrated ND filter
    Neither provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Pentax K-7

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Panasonic SZ3
Panasonic SZ3
All SZ3 Deals

Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Sony DSLR-A380

Pentax K-7
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Tiltable Screen

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Panasonic SZ3
Sony DSLR-A380
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony DSLR-A380

Compared to Canon T2i

Pentax K-7
Canon T2i
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Fast startup

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon T2i

Panasonic SZ3
Canon T2i
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • Thinner
  • $692
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon T2i

Compared to Sony A55

Pentax K-7
Sony A55
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Sony A55

Panasonic SZ3
Sony A55
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $734
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Sony A55

Compared to Canon A4000 IS

Pentax K-7
Canon A4000 IS
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon A4000 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon A4000 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Longer stills battery life
  • Shoots 24p video
  • $200
  • 1/2.3 inch

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon A4000 IS

Compared to Canon 150 IS

Pentax K-7
Canon 150 IS
  • $1300
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compare Pentax K-7 vs Canon 150 IS

Panasonic SZ3
Canon 150 IS
  • $125
  • 1/2.33 inch
  • Shoots 24p video
  • Longer exposure
  • $149
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More pixels

Compare Panasonic SZ3 vs Canon 150 IS

Compare Other Cameras?