Clicky

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
17
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Launched January 2010
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Released November 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-30
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

On this page, we are evaluating the Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FP2 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is very close but the FP2 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) boast different sensor dimensions.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

The FP2 was unveiled 4 years before the K-50 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the FP2 scores versus the K-50 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Pentax K-50

 FP2 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic FP2

 K-50 FP2 
ReleasedNovember 2013January 2010More modern by 47 months
Manual focus Very exact focus
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Pentax K-50

 FP2 K-50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither provides Touch friendly display

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry around your camera often, you should consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP2 provides exterior dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view dimensions comparison of the FP2 versus the K-50.

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FP2 and K-50 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's tough to visualize the difference in sensor sizes simply by researching a spec sheet. The image underneath will help give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP2 and K-50.

As you can see, both of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FP2 using its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-50 will provide you with greater detail having an extra 2 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop images more aggressively. The more aged FP2 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography features
28
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
you can focus manually
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FP2
Street photography with Pentax K-50
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than competition in class (151 grams)
65
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
good high ISO (51,600)
screen is fixed
heavier than competition (650g)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
max fps very slow (5.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather proofing
has phase detect auto focus
max fps low (6.0 frames/s)
not so great battery (410 shots)
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FP2
Travel photography with Pentax K-50
56
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
heavier than competition in class (151g)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
56
weather proofing
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
flash built-in
not so great battery (410 per charge)
heavier than competition (650g)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography features
33
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7")
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
missing Time Lapse function
74
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (16MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
good high ISO (51,600)
saves RAW formats
weather proofing
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-50 Vlogging highlights
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing mic socket
heavier than competition in class (151 grams)
28
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than competition (650 grams)
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Pentax K-50
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-01-06 2013-11-27
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine IV PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 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
Highest resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Highest native ISO 6400 51600
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 9 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7" 3"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder 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 speed 5.0fps 6.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/180 secs
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), 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)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151g (0.33 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Physical dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 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 photographs
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots One One
Price at launch $80 $610