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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
31
Overall
35
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 front
 
Pentax K-7 front
Portability
60
Imaging
54
Features
69
Overall
60

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Key Specs

Panasonic FH5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F3.1-6.5) lens
  • 121g - 94 x 54 x 19mm
  • Revealed January 2011
  • Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FS18
Pentax K-7
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 2000 (Increase to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released October 2009
  • Updated by Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7, former being a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the K-7 (15MP) is relatively similar but the FH5 (1/2.3") and K-7 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor size.

Photography Glossary

The FH5 was released 16 months later than the K-7 which makes the cameras a generation apart from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving in to a complete comparison, below is a simple summary of how the FH5 scores vs the K-7 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH5 over the Pentax K-7

 FH5 K-7 
ReleasedJanuary 2011October 2009Fresher by 16 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Panasonic FH5

 K-7 FH5 
Manual focus Very accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-7

 FH5 K-7 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither contains Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Physical Comparison

When you are planning to carry your camera, you will want to consider its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH5 has got outside dimensions of 94mm x 54mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") and a weight of 121 grams (0.27 lbs) while the Pentax K-7 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are using during that time. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the FH5 compared to the K-7.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability rating of the FH5 and K-7 is 96 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be difficult to visualize the contrast between sensor sizing purely by reviewing specs. The photograph below may give you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FH5 and K-7.

All in all, both of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FH5 featuring a tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FH5 will offer you greater detail as a result of its extra 1MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The fresher FH5 provides an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-7 Portrait photography features
34
MP count decent (16MP)
provides face detection autofocus
manual focus not available
no manual control
external flash not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
72
focusing manually
good resolution (15 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-7 as a Street photography camera
67
has image stabilization (Optical)
comes with touch focus
lighter than competition (121 grams)
no articulating screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Sports photography information
Pentax K-7 Sports photography information
40
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
low fps (4.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
69
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
environment sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (5.0 frames per second)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FH5 Travel photography information
Pentax K-7 Travel photography information
71
lighter than competition (121g)
comes with touch focus
MP count decent (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
64
environment sealing
good resolution (15MP)
flash built-in
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH5
Landscape photography with Pentax K-7
38
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count decent (16MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
small screen (2.7")
no manual control
small sensor (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
77
focusing manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good resolution (15MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH5 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-7 as a Vlogging camera
33
really wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than competition (121 grams)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.1)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
25
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
no mic port
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Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax K-7 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH5 and Pentax K-7
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5Pentax K-7
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 Pentax K-7
Alternate name Lumix DMC-FS18 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2011-01-05 2009-10-02
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 15 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4608 x 3456 4672 x 3104
Highest native ISO 6400 2000
Highest enhanced ISO - 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.1-6.5 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - TFT color LCD with AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/1600s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter speed 4.0fps 5.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 3.30 m 13.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 121 gr (0.27 pounds) 750 gr (1.65 pounds)
Dimensions 94 x 54 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.7") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 61
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.6
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.6
DXO Low light rating not tested 536
Other
Battery life 260 shots 980 shots
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/MMC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $169 $599