Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-1

Here is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic FH3 versus Pentax K-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the FH3 (14MP) and K-1 (36MP) and the FH3 (1/2.3") and K-1 (Full frame) use different sensor sizing.

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The FH3 was launched 7 years prior to the K-1 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-1 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a detailed comparison, below is a short synopsis of how the FH3 grades against the K-1 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 and Pentax K-1. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH3 Gallery and Pentax K-1 Gallery.

When you are going to carry your camera often, you are going to need to think about its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH3 provides outside measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-1 has dimensions of 137mm x 110mm x 86mm (5.4" x 4.3" x 3.4") and a weight of 1010 grams (2.23 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH3 versus Pentax K-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view dimension comparison of the FH3 against the K-1.

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH3 and K-1 is 94 and 55 respectively.

Quite often, it is difficult to picture the difference between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specifications. The photograph here will help offer you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the FH3 and K-1.

Plainly, the two cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FH3 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-1 will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 22 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a little more aggressively. The older FH3 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.