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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
21
Overall
30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic FH3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Replaced the Pentax K-30
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Here is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic FH3 and Pentax K-50, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FH3 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is pretty comparable but the FH3 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) come with different sensor dimensions.

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The FH3 was revealed 4 years before the K-50 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FH3 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in depth comparison, below is a concise summary of how the FH3 matches up vs the K-50 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH3 over the Pentax K-50

 FH3 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic FH3

 K-50 FH3 
RevealedNovember 2013January 2010Fresher by 47 months
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH3 and Pentax K-50

 FH3 K-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is planning to carry your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FH3 comes with exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 165 grams (0.36 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has measurements of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH3 and Pentax K-50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you select at that moment. Following is the front view physical size comparison of the FH3 versus the K-50.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH3 and K-50 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is tough to picture the gap in sensor sizing only by seeing specifications. The visual here should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizing in the FH3 and K-50.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FH3 having a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-50 will show more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older FH3 will be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FH3
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
28
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual mode
no external flash support
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
74
you can focus manually
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH3
Street photography with Pentax K-50
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
great high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Sports photography information
Pentax K-50 Sports photography information
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
max frames per second very slow (6.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH3
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
64
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse mode
display is not selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
56
weather proofing
MP count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
terrible battery (410 per charge)
more heavy than competition in class (650 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH3 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography highlights
37
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count good (14MP)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
no Time Lapse mode
74
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
terrible battery (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FH3
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
29
decently wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic socket
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
display is not selfie friendly
no microphone support
more heavy than competition in class (650g)
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Panasonic FH3 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH3 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH3 Pentax K-50
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FS11 -
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-01-06 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect 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) -
Max aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 6.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.80 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 165 grams (0.36 lbs) 650 grams (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 24mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
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
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $160 $610