Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5
94 Imaging
36 Features
21 Overall
30


60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.7" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
- 165g - 98 x 55 x 24mm
- Announced January 2010
- Other Name is Lumix DMC-FS11
(Full Review)
- 16MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 12800 (Increase to 51200)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Introduced December 2010
- Replaced the Pentax K-7
- Newer Model is Pentax K-5 IIs

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Overview
Here, we are contrasting the Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the K-5 (16MP) is fairly similar but the FH3 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

The FH3 was released 11 months prior to the K-5 which means that they are both of a similar generation. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before we go into a in-depth comparison, here is a short introduction of how the FH3 matches up against the K-5 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
Following is a sample of the gallery pictures for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 and Pentax K-5. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FH3 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Pentax K-5
FH3 | K-5 |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic FH3
K-5 | FH3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | December 2010 | ![]() | January 2010 | Fresher by 11 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial accurate focusing | ||
Display size | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Larger display (+0.3") |
Display resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper display (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Pentax K-5
FH3 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed display |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Neither includes selfie screen | ||
Touch friendly display | ![]() | Absent Touch friendly display |
Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison
For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera frequently, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH3 features physical measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).
Look at the Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose during that time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the FH3 versus the K-5.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FH3 and K-5 is 94 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison
Quite often, it can be difficult to imagine the contrast between sensor sizing merely by reviewing a spec sheet. The photograph below might provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and K-5.
As you can see, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FH3 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallower depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-5 will offer extra detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older FH3 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 | Pentax K-5 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Brand Name | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 | Pentax K-5 |
Otherwise known as | Lumix DMC-FS11 | - |
Class | Small Sensor Compact | Advanced DSLR |
Announced | 2010-01-06 | 2010-12-18 |
Body design | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Powered by | - | Prime II |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.7 x 15.7mm |
Sensor surface area | 27.7mm² | 372.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 14 megapixels | 16 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Max resolution | 4320 x 3240 | 4928 x 3264 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | - | 51200 |
Min native ISO | 80 | 80 |
RAW support | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch to focus | ||
Autofocus continuous | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Center weighted autofocus | ||
Multi area autofocus | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detection focus | ||
Contract detection focus | ||
Phase detection focus | ||
Total focus points | 9 | 11 |
Cross type focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 28-140mm (5.0x) | - |
Maximal aperture | f/2.8-6.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Number of lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Screen type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Screen sizing | 2.7 inch | 3 inch |
Screen resolution | 230 thousand dot | 921 thousand dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch operation | ||
Screen technology | - | TFT LCD monitor |
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder type | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100% |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.61x |
Features | ||
Minimum shutter speed | 60 secs | 30 secs |
Fastest shutter speed | 1/1600 secs | 1/8000 secs |
Continuous shutter speed | 6.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | - | Yes |
Change white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.80 m | 13.00 m (at ISO 100) |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless |
External flash | ||
AEB | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Fastest flash sync | - | 1/180 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1280x720 | 1920x1080 |
Video data format | Motion JPEG | Motion JPEG |
Mic input | ||
Headphone input | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | Optional |
Physical | ||
Environment seal | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 165g (0.36 pounds) | 740g (1.63 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 82 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.7 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 14.1 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1162 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 980 photos |
Style of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Type of storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Storage slots | 1 | 1 |
Pricing at release | $160 | $800 |