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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Pentax K-500 front
Portability
64
Imaging
58
Features
70
Overall
62

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2011
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FS18
Pentax K-500
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 646g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Overview

On this page, we are comparing the Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the K-500 (16MP) is very close but the FH5 (1/2.3") and K-500 (APS-C) provide different sensor sizing.

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The FH5 was released 3 years before the K-500 which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-500 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the FH5 grades versus the K-500 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Pentax K-500

 FH5 K-500 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-500 over the Panasonic FH5

 K-500 FH5 
RevealedNovember 2013January 2011More modern by 35 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-500

 FH5 K-500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lacking Touch friendly display

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH5 has got exterior dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") having a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-500 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") having a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at that moment. Below is a front view sizing comparison of the FH5 compared to the K-500.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and K-500 is 96 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, its tough to picture the difference in sensor sizes just by researching specs. The image underneath should offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and K-500.

As you can plainly see, each of the cameras provide the same MP but different sensor sizes. The FH5 has got the smaller sensor which will make achieving shallower depth of field trickier. The more aged FH5 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-500 Portrait photography information
34
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports face detection focusing
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
74
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-500 as a Street photography camera
67
image stabilization (Optical)
supports focus via touch
lighter than competitors (121 grams)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
68
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
above average high ISO (51,600)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-500 Sports photography advice
40
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
supports tracking autofocus
max frames per second very slow (4.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no phase detect AF
72
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
good battery pack (710 shots)
comes with phase detect AF
continuous shooting slow (6.0 fps)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH5
Travel photography with Pentax K-500
71
lighter than competitors (121g)
supports focus via touch
MP count good (16MP)
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
67
good battery pack (710 per charge)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-500 Landscape photography advice
38
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (16 megapixels)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
manual mode not available
sensor is small (1/2.3")
no RAW files
no Time Lapse recording
79
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,600)
supports RAW formats
good battery pack (710 CIPA)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-500 as a Vlogging camera
33
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
supports face detection focusing
lighter than competitors (121g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pxls)
no external mic support
30
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection focusing
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external microphone socket
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Pentax K-500
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Pentax K-500
Also referred to as Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2011-01-05 2013-11-27
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV 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 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4608 x 3456 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 6400 51600
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen 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
Min shutter speed 60s 30s
Max shutter speed 1/1600s 1/6000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames per second 6.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (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)
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 gr (0.27 lb) 646 gr (1.42 lb)
Physical dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1087
Other
Battery life 260 photographs 710 photographs
Battery type Battery Pack AA
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Launch cost $169 $600