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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax K-3 II

The Olympus XZ-1 and the Pentax K-3 II are two digital cameras that were announced, respectively, in January 2011 and April 2015. The XZ-1 is a fixed lens compact, while the K-3 II is a DSLR. The cameras are based on a 1/1.7-inch (XZ-1) and an APS-C (K-3 II) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the Pentax provides 24.1 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications
Olympus XZ-1
versus
Pentax K-3 II
Olympus XZ-1   Pentax K-3 II
Fixed lens compact camera Digital single lens reflex
28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 Pentax K mount lenses
10.1 MP – 1/1.7" sensor 24.1 MP – APS-C sensor
720/30p Video 1080/60i Video
ISO 100-6,400 ISO 100-51,200
Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
3.0" LCD – 614k dots 3.2" LCD – 1037k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive) Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)
2 shutter flaps per second 8.3 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
not weather sealedWeathersealed body
320 shots per battery charge720 shots per battery charge
111 x 65 x 42 mm, 275 g 131 x 100 x 77 mm, 800 g
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Check XZ-1 offers at
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Check K-3 II offers at
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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus XZ-1 and the Pentax K-3 II? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

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Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Olympus XZ-1 and the Pentax K-3 II is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The XZ-1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the K-3 II is also available in two color-versions, but different ones (black, silver).

Size Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax K-3 II
Compare XZ-1 versus K-3 II top
Comparison XZ-1 or K-3 II rear

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Pentax K-3 II is considerably larger (82 percent) than the Olympus XZ-1. It is noteworthy in this context that the K-3 II is splash and dust-proof, while the XZ-1 does not feature any corresponding weather-sealing.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the XZ-1 has a lens built in, whereas the K-3 II is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
# image Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus XZ-1 111 mm 65 mm 42 mm 275 g 320 n Jan 2011 499ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-3 II 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 720 Y Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D7200 136 mm 107 mm 76 mm 765 g 1110 Y Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus TG-5 113 mm 66 mm 32 mm 250 g 340 Y May 2017 449ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 269 g 360 n Sep 2012 499ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus XZ-2 113 mm 65 mm 48 mm 346 g 340 n Sep 2012 599ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3 110 mm 64 mm 37 mm 313 g 300 n Jun 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1 110 mm 64 mm 34 mm 265 g 330 n Jun 2011 499ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1 115 mm 72 mm 42 mm 334 g 290 n Feb 2010 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic FZ200 125 mm 87 mm 110 mm 588 g 540 n Jul 2012 599ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX7 111 mm 68 mm 46 mm 298 g 330 n Jul 2012 499ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic FZ150 124 mm 82 mm 92 mm 528 g 410 n Aug 2011 499ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic LX5 110 mm 65 mm 43 mm 271 g 400 n Jul 2010 499ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-3 III 135 mm 104 mm 74 mm 820 g 800 Y Mar 2021 1,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Pentax K-S2 123 mm 91 mm 73 mm 678 g 410 Y Feb 2015 749ebay.com
16.
 
Pentax K-3 131 mm 100 mm 77 mm 800 g 560 Y Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
17.
 
Pentax K-5 II 131 mm 97 mm 73 mm 760 g 740 Y Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The XZ-1 was launched at a lower price than the K-3 II, despite having a lens built in. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The imaging sensor is at the core of digital cameras and its size is one of the main determining factors of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus XZ-1 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and the Pentax K-3 II an APS-C sensor. The sensor area in the K-3 II is 698 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 4.4 and 1.5. The sensor in the XZ-1 has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the K-3 II offers a 3:2 aspect.

Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax K-3 II sensor measures

With 24.1MP, the K-3 II offers a higher resolution than the XZ-1 (10.1MP), but the K-3 II nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 3.90μm versus 2.13μm for the XZ-1) due to its larger sensor. Moreover, the K-3 II is a much more recent model (by 4 years and 3 months) than the XZ-1, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that further enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units. Coming back to sensor resolution, it should be mentioned that the K-3 II has no anti-alias filter installed, so that it can capture all the detail its sensor resolves.

The resolution advantage of the Pentax K-3 II implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the K-3 II for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 30.1 x 20 inches or 76.4 x 50.8 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 24.1 x 16 inches or 61.1 x 40.6 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 20.1 x 13.3 inches or 50.9 x 33.9 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus XZ-1 are 18.3 x 13.8 inches or 46.5 x 35 cm for good quality, 14.7 x 11 inches or 37.2 x 28 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.2 inches or 31 x 23.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

Unlike the XZ-1, the K-3 II has the capacity to capture high quality composite images by combining multiple shots after shifting its sensor by miniscule distances. This multi-shot, pixel-shift mode is most suitable for photography of stationary objects (landscapes, studio scenes).

The Olympus XZ-1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The corresponding ISO settings for the Pentax K-3 II are ISO 100 to ISO 51200 (no boost).

In terms of underlying technology, the XZ-1 is build around a CCD sensor, while the K-3 II uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

XZ-1 versus K-3 II MP

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service determines an overall sensor rating, as well as sub-scores for low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and color depth ("DXO Portrait"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the K-3 II offers substantially better image quality than the XZ-1 (overall score 46 points higher). The advantage is based on 4.8 bits higher color depth, 3.2 EV in additional dynamic range, and 3.2 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.

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Sensor Characteristics
# image Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus XZ-1 1/1.7 10.1 3664 2752720/30p18.810.411734
2.
 
Pentax K-3 II APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.613.6110680
3.
 
Nikon D7200 APS-C 24.0 6000 40001080/60p24.514.6133387
4.
 
Olympus TG-5 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30004K/30p20.511.993450
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2 Four Thirds 15.9 4608 34561080/30p22.712.293272
6.
 
Olympus XZ-2 1/1.7 11.8 3968 29761080/30p20.411.321649
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i20.910.349952
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 30241080/60i21.010.349952
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.510.148754
10.
 
Panasonic FZ200 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.110.811437
11.
 
Panasonic LX7 1/1.7 10.0 3648 27361080/60p20.711.714750
12.
 
Panasonic FZ150 1/2.3 12.0 4000 30001080/60p19.410.913240
13.
 
Panasonic LX5 1/1.7 10.0 3648 2736720/60p19.610.813241
14.
 
Pentax K-3 III APS-C 25.6 6192 41284K/30p24.213.7208385
15.
 
Pentax K-S2 APS-C 20.0 5472 36481080/30p23.612.9151479
16.
 
Pentax K-3 APS-C 24.1 6016 40001080/60i23.713.4121680
17.
 
Pentax K-5 II APS-C 16.1 4928 32641080/25p23.814.1123582
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration have a sensor with sufficiently fast read-out times for moving pictures, but the K-3 II provides a better video resolution than the XZ-1. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60i, while the Olympus is limited to 720/30p.

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Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the K-3 II has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the XZ-1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the XZ-1 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-2. The following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Olympus XZ-1, the Pentax K-3 II, and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
# image Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus XZ-1optional n3.0 / 614 fixed n 1/2000s 2.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Pentax K-3 IIoptical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s n Y
3.
 
Nikon D7200optical Y3.2 / 1229 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
4.
 
Olympus TG-5none n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/2000s 20.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2optional n3.0 / 460 fixed Y 1/4000s 8.0/s n Y
6.
 
Olympus XZ-2optional n3.0 / 920 tilting Y 1/2000s 5.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3optional n3.0 / 460 tilting n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 5.5/s n Y
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1optional n2.7 / 230 fixed n 1/2000s 3.0/s Y Y
10.
 
Panasonic FZ2001312 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/4000s 12.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Panasonic LX7optional n3.0 / 920 fixed n 1/4000s 11.0/s Y Y
12.
 
Panasonic FZ150202 n3.0 / 460 swivel n 1/2000s 12.0/s Y Y
13.
 
Panasonic LX5optional n3.0 / 460 fixed n 1/4000s 2.5/s Y Y
14.
 
Pentax K-3 IIIoptical Y3.2 / 1620 fixed Y 1/8000s 12.0/s n Y
15.
 
Pentax K-S2optical n3.0 / 921 swivel n 1/6000s 5.4/s Y Y
16.
 
Pentax K-3optical Y3.2 / 1037 fixed n 1/8000s 8.3/s Y Y
17.
 
Pentax K-5 IIoptical Y3.0 / 921 fixed n 1/8000s 7.0/s Y Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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One difference between the cameras concerns the presence of an on-board flash. The XZ-1 has one, while the K-3 II does not. While the built-in flash of the XZ-1 is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light.

The Olympus XZ-1 and the Pentax K-3 II both have an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the XZ-1 and the K-3 II write their files to SDXC cards. The K-3 II features dual card slots, which can be very useful in case a memory card fails. In contrast, the XZ-1 only has one slot. The K-3 II supports UHS-I cards (Ultra High Speed data transfer of up to 104 MB/s), while the XZ-1 cannot take advantage of Ultra High Speed SD cards.

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Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax K-3 II and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
# image Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus XZ-1Ymono / ---mini2.0---
2.
 
Pentax K-3 IIYmono / monoYYmini3.0---
3.
 
Nikon D7200Ystereo / monoYYmini2.0YY-
4.
 
Olympus TG-5-stereo / mono--micro2.0Y--
5.
 
Olympus E-PM2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
6.
 
Olympus XZ-2Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-PL3Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
10.
 
Panasonic FZ200Ystereo / monoY-mini2.0---
11.
 
Panasonic LX7Ystereo / mono--mini2.0---
12.
 
Panasonic FZ150Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
13.
 
Panasonic LX5Ymono / mono--mini2.0---
14.
 
Pentax K-3 IIIYstereo / monoYYmicro3.2Y-Y
15.
 
Pentax K-S2Ymono / monoY-micro2.0YY-
16.
 
Pentax K-3Ymono / monoYYmini3.0---
17.
 
Pentax K-5 IIYstereo / monoY-mini2.0---
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It is notable that the K-3 II has a microphone port, which can help to improve the quality of audio recordings by attaching an external microphone. The XZ-1 does not feature such a mic input.

Studio photographers will appreciate that the Pentax K-3 II (unlike the XZ-1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.

Travel and landscape photographers will find it useful that the K-3 II has an internal geolocalization sensor and can record GPS coordinates in its EXIF data.

Both the XZ-1 and the K-3 II have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The XZ-1 was replaced by the Olympus XZ-2, while the K-3 II was followed by the Pentax K-3 III. Further information on the features and operation of the XZ-1 and K-3 II can be found, respectively, in the Olympus XZ-1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Pentax K-3 II Manual.

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Review summary

So what conclusions can be drawn? Which of the two cameras – the Olympus XZ-1 or the Pentax K-3 II – has the upper hand? Is one clearly better than the other? Below is a summary of the relative strengths of each of the two contestants.

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Arguments in favor of the Olympus XZ-1:

  • Better moiré control: Has an anti-alias filter to avoid artificial patterns to appear in images.
  • Ready to shoot: Comes with a built-in lens, while the K-3 II requires a separate lens.
  • More compact: Is smaller (111x65mm vs 131x100mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
  • Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the K-3 II).
  • Easier fill-in: Is equipped with a small onboard flash to brighten deep shadow areas.
  • More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
  • More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in January 2011).

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Reasons to prefer the Pentax K-3 II:

  • More detail: Has more megapixels (24.1 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 58%.
  • Maximized detail: Lacks an anti-alias filter to exploit the sensor's full resolution potential.
  • High quality composites: Can combine several shots after pixel-shifting its sensor.
  • Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (46 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
  • Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (4.8 bits more color depth).
  • More dynamic range: Captures a broader range of light and dark details (3.2 EV of extra DR).
  • Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (3.2 stops ISO advantage).
  • Better video: Provides higher definition movie capture (1080/60i vs 720/30p).
  • Better sound: Can connect to an external microphone for higher quality sound recording.
  • Better sound control: Has a headphone port that enables audio monitoring while recording.
  • Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
  • Easier setting verification: Features a control panel on top to check shooting parameters.
  • Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.2" vs 3.0") for image review and settings control.
  • More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (1037k vs 614k dots).
  • Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
  • Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8.3 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
  • More flexible: Makes it possible to change lenses and thus to use specialty optics.
  • Longer lasting: Gets more shots (720 versus 320) out of a single battery charge.
  • Better sealing: Is splash and dust sealed for shooting in inclement weather conditions.
  • Easier geotagging: Features an internal GPS sensor to log localization data.
  • Faster data transfer: Supports a more advanced USB protocol (3.0 vs 2.0).
  • Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
  • Greater peace of mind: Features a second card slot as a backup in case of memory card failure.
  • Faster buffer clearing: Has an SD card interface that supports the UHS-I standard.
  • More modern: Reflects 4 years and 3 months of technical progress since the XZ-1 launch.

If the count of relative strengths (bullet points above) is taken as a measure, the K-3 II is the clear winner of the contest (25 : 7 points). However, the relative importance of the various individual camera aspects will vary according to personal preferences and needs, so that you might like to apply corresponding weights to the particular features before making a decision on a new camera. A professional wedding photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a travel photog, and a person interested in cityscapes has distinct needs from a macro shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

XZ-1 07:25 K-3 II

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus XZ-1 and the Pentax K-3 II place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best DSLR Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the comparison of the spec-sheets of cameras can offer a general idea of their imaging potential, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the XZ-1 or the K-3 II perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate.

Expert reviews

This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall ratings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

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Expert Camera Reviews
# image  Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus XZ-14/5....74/1004.5/54.5/5 Jan 2011 499ebay.com
2.
 
Pentax K-3 II4.5/5......5/55/5 Apr 2015 1,099ebay.com
3.
 
Nikon D72004/5+ +..84/1004.5/54.5/5 Mar 2015 1,199ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus TG-5..+ +4.5/5..4/54/5 May 2017 449ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-PM23/5....77/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 499ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus XZ-24/5+....4.5/54.5/5 Sep 2012 599ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-PL33/5+ +..72/1004.5/54/5 Jun 2011 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-PM1..86/100..71/1004.5/54.5/5 Jun 2011 499ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-PL1..86/100..69/1004/54.5/5 Feb 2010 599ebay.com
10.
 
Panasonic FZ2003/5+ +..80/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2012 599ebay.com
11.
 
Panasonic LX73/5+ +..75/1004/54.5/5 Jul 2012 499ebay.com
12.
 
Panasonic FZ1503/5+ +..76/1004/54.5/5 Aug 2011 499ebay.com
13.
 
Panasonic LX54/5+..73/1004.5/54.5/5 Jul 2010 499ebay.com
14.
 
Pentax K-3 III4/5..3/5..4.5/5.. Mar 2021 1,999 amazon.com
15.
 
Pentax K-S24.5/5......5/54.5/5 Feb 2015 749ebay.com
16.
 
Pentax K-34/5....83/1005/55/5 Oct 2013 1,299ebay.com
17.
 
Pentax K-5 II5/5....80/1005/54.5/5 Sep 2012 1,099ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Check XZ-1 offers at
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Check K-3 II offers at
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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities of other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications: Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax K-3 II

    Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.

    Camera Specifications
    Camera Model Olympus XZ-1 Pentax K-3 II
    Camera Type Fixed lens compact camera Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 Pentax K mount lenses
    Launch Date January 2011 April 2015
    Launch Price USD 499 USD 1,099
    Sensor Specs Olympus XZ-1 Pentax K-3 II
    Sensor Technology CCD CMOS
    Sensor Format 1/1.7" Sensor APS-C Sensor
    Sensor Size 7.85 x 5.89 mm 23.5 x 15.6 mm
    Sensor Area 46.2365 mm2 366.6 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 9.8 mm 28.2 mm
    Crop Factor 4.4x 1.5x
    Sensor Resolution 10.1 Megapixels 24.1 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3664 x 2752 pixels 6016 x 4000 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 2.13 μm 3.90 μm
    Pixel Density 21.81 MP/cm2 6.56 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter no AA filter
    Movie Capability 720/30p Video 1080/60i Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 6,400 ISO 100 - 51,200 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic V PRIME III
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 34 80
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 18.8 23.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.4 13.6
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 117 1106
    Screen Specs Olympus XZ-1 Pentax K-3 II
    Viewfinder Type Viewfinder optional Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.63x
    Top-Level Screen no Top Display Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View Live View
    Rear LCD Size 3.0inch 3.2inch
    LCD Resolution 614k dots 1037k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen Fixed screen
    Shooting Specs Olympus XZ-1 Pentax K-3 II
    Focus System Contrast-detect AF Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking FeatureFocus Peaking
    Max Shutter Speed (mechanical) 1/2000s 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 2 shutter flaps/s 8.3 shutter flaps/s
    Time-Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer built-inIntervalometer built-in
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium SDXC cards SDXC cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Single card slot Dual card slots
    UHS card support no UHS-I
    Connectivity Specs Olympus XZ-1 Pentax K-3 II
    External Flash Hotshoe Hotshoe
    Studio Flash no PC Sync PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0 USB 3.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI mini HDMI
    Microphone Port no MIC socket External MIC port
    Headphone Socket no Headphone port Headphone port
    Wifi Support no Wifi no Wifi
    Geotagging no internal GPS GPS built-in
    Body Specs Olympus XZ-1 Pentax K-3 II
    Environmental Sealingnot weather sealedWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Olympus Li-50B Pentax D-LI90
    Battery Life (CIPA)320 shots per charge720 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 111 x 65 x 42 mm
    (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.7 in)
    131 x 100 x 77 mm
    (5.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 275 g (9.7 oz) 800 g (28.2 oz)
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    Check XZ-1 offers at
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    Check K-3 II offers at
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