Clicky

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
37
Features
17
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic FP2
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • 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 ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced August 2005
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a in-depth assessment of the Panasonic FP2 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the FP2 (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FP2 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor measurements.

Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

The FP2 was manufactured 4 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP2 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the FP2 matches up versus the ist DS2 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FP2 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FP2 ist DS2 
IntroducedJanuary 2010August 2005More recent by 54 months
Display dimension2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kCrisper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FP2

 ist DS2 FP2 
Focus manually Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FP2 and Pentax ist DS2

 FP2 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to lug around your camera often, you have to consider its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FP2 enjoys external measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Panasonic FP2 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the FP2 against the ist DS2.

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FP2 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it's hard to see the difference between sensor measurements simply by checking technical specs. The photograph here might give you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP2 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FP2 due to its tinier sensor will make getting bokeh trickier and the Panasonic FP2 will resolve more detail due to its extra 8 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop images somewhat more aggressively. The more modern FP2 is going to have a benefit with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Portrait photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography info
28
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
no manual control
no external flash support
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
50
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
doesn't have liveview
MP count low (6MP)
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Street Comparison

Panasonic FP2 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
55
image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
heavier than others (151 grams)
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
lighter than others (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP2
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
35
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
slow frames per second (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
Photography Glossary

Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Travel photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography information
56
megapixel count decent (14MP)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
heavier than others (151 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
52
lighter than others (605g)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
MP count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography highlights
33
image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
manual focus not available
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse function
46
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP2 Vlogging highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (35mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have mic support
heavier than others (151g)
22
lighter than others (605 grams)
doesn't feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low ( pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Panasonic FP2 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP2 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP2 Pentax ist DS2
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2010-01-06 2005-08-22
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine IV -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.5"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/1600 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure 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), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151 gr (0.33 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 99 x 59 x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $80 -