Panasonic FH5 vs Pentax XG-1

Let's look more in depth at the Panasonic FH5 versus Pentax XG-1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Small Sensor Superzoom by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH5 (16MP) and the XG-1 (16MP) is pretty close and both cameras posses the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FH5 was announced 4 years prior to the XG-1 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FH5 being a Compact camera and the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief summary of how the FH5 grades vs the XG-1 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Below is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 and Pentax XG-1. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FH5 Gallery and Pentax XG-1 Gallery.

If you are looking to lug around your camera regularly, you will need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FH5 offers outside measurements 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 XG-1 has sizing of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") accompanied by a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs).

See the Panasonic FH5 versus Pentax XG-1 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Following is a front view scale comparison of the FH5 versus the XG-1.

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FH5 and XG-1 is 96 and 66 respectively.

Normally, its difficult to envision the gap in sensor measurements merely by looking through specifications. The photograph here will help give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FH5 and XG-1.

To sum up, both of the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same MP and you should expect comparable quality of files but you will want to take the release date of the cameras into account. The older FH5 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.