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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
96
Imaging
39
Features
32
Overall
36
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic FH8
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 24-120mm (F2.5-6.4) lens
  • 123g - 96 x 57 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2012
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Revealed March 2011
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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Panasonic FH8 versus Pentax RS1500, both Small Sensor Compact cameras by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FH8 (16MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is very close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

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The FH8 was released 10 months after the RS1500 which means that they are of a similar age. Both cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before diving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a short view of how the FH8 grades against the RS1500 for portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FH8 over the Pentax RS1500

 FH8 RS1500 
RevealedJanuary 2012March 2011Newer by 10 months
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic FH8

 RS1500 FH8 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FH8 and Pentax RS1500

 FH8 RS1500 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kIdentical display resolution
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to travel with your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FH8 features physical dimensions of 96mm x 57mm x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 123 grams (0.27 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has dimensions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FH8 versus Pentax RS1500 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that moment. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the FH8 compared to the RS1500.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FH8 and RS1500 is 96 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to see the difference in sensor dimensions just by looking through technical specs. The pic underneath should provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FH8 and RS1500.

As you have seen, both of those cameras provide the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Panasonic FH8 to render greater detail as a result of its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop photos more aggressively. The more modern FH8 will have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Portrait photography details
Pentax RS1500 Portrait photography details
34
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features face detect autofocus
no manual focus
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
35
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
no manual exposure
no external flash support
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FH8
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
63
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than others (123 grams)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FH8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax RS1500 as a Sports photography camera
40
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
features tracking focus
max frames per second low (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
slow fps (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FH8
Travel photography with Pentax RS1500
69
lighter than others (123 grams)
decent sensor resolution (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
really wide (24mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
67
environment sealing
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
rather wide (28mm)
no Time Lapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FH8
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
43
really wide (24mm)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
no manual exposure
small sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
40
you can focus manually
rather wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
no image stabilization
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FH8 Vlogging advice
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging advice
33
really wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detect autofocus
lighter than others (123 grams)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.5)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
25
rather wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
no mic socket
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Panasonic FH8 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FH8 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH8 Pentax Optio RS1500
Category Small Sensor Compact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2012-01-09 2011-03-16
Physical type Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4288 x 3216
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 23 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-120mm (5.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.5-6.4 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus distance 4cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 230k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen technology TFT Color LCD TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.60 m 3.90 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1280x720
Video data format MPEG-4 Motion JPEG
Mic 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 None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 123g (0.27 lb) 157g (0.35 lb)
Physical dimensions 96 x 57 x 19mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.7") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 260 shots 260 shots
Battery type Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Card slots One One
Launch price $149 $150