Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Two Cameras, Two Worlds: From Pocket-Sized Convenience to DSLR Power
A Hands-On Comparison of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 and Pentax K-5 IIs

When you’re hunting for a new camera, the choices can feel overwhelming - especially when comparing two models as wildly different in design and target use as Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-FP3 and Pentax’s K-5 IIs. In one corner, we have a pocket-friendly ultracompact designed for casual shooting and travel ease; in the other, a rugged, professional-grade DSLR aimed squarely at enthusiasts craving full manual controls and superior image quality.

Having put both these cameras through their paces extensively, I want to share not just specs, but real-world insights - how they perform across genres, their technical nuances, and who exactly should consider which. Throughout this article, you’ll find embedded photos illustrating key points, plus scores and sample images to bring my impressions to life.

Let’s break each down and then see how they stack up.

The Size and Ergonomics Showdown: Pocketable vs. Gripable

Starting with physicality, the Panasonic FP3 is, as expected, tiny - measuring just 99x59x19 mm and weighing a mere 155 grams. It slips effortlessly into a jacket pocket or a small purse, perfect for grab-and-go moments where you’d rather not be lugging heavier gear. The interface is simplified, and the camera’s fixed lens keeps things hassle-free.

Conversely, the Pentax K-5 IIs is a mid-size DSLR hefting 760 grams and measuring 131x97x73 mm. It demands a decent-sized bag but offers much more extensive controls and handling comfort during extended shoots. The handgrip is well contoured, and this body boasts weather sealing - a major plus for outdoor and travel photographers facing inclement weather.

While the FP3’s lightness is liberating, I occasionally missed the tactile feedback and responsiveness that bigger dials and buttons provide. The K-5 IIs, on the other hand, feels confident in your hand, inspiring a more deliberate shooting experience.

For a clearer look at their control layouts:

You’ll notice the K-5 IIs’s dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, which are missing from the FP3’s pared-down top deck. This reflects their intended users: quick snapshots vs. creative control.

Under the Hood: Sensor Size and Image Quality Differences

Here’s where the rivalry really heats up. The Panasonic FP3 uses a 1/2.3-inch CCD sensor of just 27.72mm² with 14 megapixels, whereas the Pentax K-5 IIs sports a much larger APS-C CMOS sensor of 372.09mm² at 16 megapixels.

What does this mean? Larger sensors generally capture more light, deliver superior dynamic range, and offer higher resolution potential. This roughly 13x bigger sensor area advantage in the K-5 IIs translates to cleaner images, better color accuracy, and enhanced low-light performance. The FP3’s sensor, common in compact cameras of its era, restricts image quality - fine for casual use but not competitive in professional or serious enthusiast circles.

Moreover, the K-5 IIs has no anti-aliasing filter, a rarity that gives it extra sharpness but requires careful processing and lenses. This feature is ideal for landscape and portrait shooters aiming for maximum detail.

The Eye: Viewfinders and Rear Screens in Action

The FP3 comes with a fixed 3-inch touchscreen LCD at a modest 230k-dot resolution. Its touchscreen-enabled interface is user-friendly for point-and-shooters, though the screen is somewhat reflective and too small for critical manual focus adjustments.

The K-5 IIs offers a higher resolution 3-inch TFT LCD at 921k dots, and while it lacks touchscreen functionality, its articulated controls and robust menu system cater to manual operation preferences. It features an optical pentaprism viewfinder delivering 100% frame coverage and a magnification of 0.61x. For anyone used to composing shots by eye rather than screen, this is a huge advantage - especially in bright outdoor conditions where LCD screens can struggle.

For stills framing precision and rapid response, the DSLR’s viewfinder remains unbeatable. Touchscreen convenience? The compact edges it.

How They Shoot: Autofocus and Burst Performance Demystified

Let’s talk AF. The FP3 relies on contrast-detection autofocus with 9 selectable points - but no manual focus or face/eye detection. For still subjects under good lighting, it works adequately, but it struggles with low contrast and moving subjects.

The K-5 IIs boasts a hybrid AF system using both phase detection and contrast detection. It has 11 focus points (9 cross-type), face detection, continuous AF tracking, and selective AF spots that empower fast, precise focus lock. This is instrumental for wildlife, sports, and street photography where split-second autofocus decisions count.

In burst mode, the FP3 manages a decent 5 fps, good for casual action sequences. The K-5 IIs cranks up to 7 fps, which is solid for mid-range DSLRs and excellent for capturing sports or wildlife action.

Image Stabilization and Macro Work: Getting Up Close and Personal

Both cameras offer in-body image stabilization, but their application differs. The FP3’s optical image stabilization assists handheld shots despite its modest lens aperture (F3.5-5.9). Its macro mode allows focusing as close as 10 cm, good for casual close-ups.

The K-5 IIs uses sensor-shift stabilization, which works universally with Pentax lenses and is especially helpful in handheld macro photography for reducing shake at high magnifications.

If macro work is your thing, neither camera leads the field, but the DSLR’s system definitely affords more flexibility, given its broader and more advanced lens ecosystem.

Video Imaging: HD but How Far?

The Lumix FP3 was announced back in 2010, so its video capabilities reflect that era. It records up to 720p at 30 fps in Motion JPEG - a format that can generate large files and lacks modern compression efficiencies. There’s no microphone input for better audio capture, nor HDMI output.

The Pentax K-5 IIs delivers 1080p Full HD video at 25 fps (with lower 720p options), again Motion JPEG format, but it does provide an external microphone port - a feature that serious videographers will appreciate. HDMI output for clean video feed is also present.

Neither are video workhorses by today’s standards, but for hybrid shooters prioritizing stills with occasional video, the DSLR again has a clear advantage in quality and audio options.

Weather Sealing and Build: Would They Brave the Elements?

Here the K-5 IIs shines - it's weather sealed (dust-resistant, splash-proof), built to withstand rough conditions, and ready for landscape or travel photographers who shoot outdoors.

The FP3 has no environmental sealing and lacks rugged protections. It’s best treated as a casual, travel-friendly camera aimed at well-lit, controlled environments.

Battery Life and Storage: Shooting Time Matters

Battery life is an essential factor often overlooked. The FP3’s battery stats aren’t specified, but given its size, expect around 200-300 shots per charge - typical for ultracompacts - but no extended battery grips or spares enthusiastically endorsed.

The K-5 IIs excels here with a massive 980 shot per charge estimate, thanks to its DSLR architecture and larger battery pack (D-LI90 model). This endurance suits professional sessions or extended travel without multiple battery swaps.

Both cameras use SD/SDHC/SDXC cards, but the K-5 IIs has no dual slots, so manage backups carefully.

Lens Compatibility and Ecosystem: What Mount Means for You

Playing a long game? The Pentax KAF2 mount offers compatibility with over 150 lenses, spanning affordable primes to specialty lenses like tilt-shifts and macro. From my testing, Pentax lenses often punch above their weight in optical performance and value.

The FP3’s fixed 35-140 mm equivalent zoom lens restricts versatility. It's a compact zoom only, no option for upgrades or wide primes. If you want to experiment with bokeh-rich portraits or ultra-wide landscapes, you’ll be constrained.

Lens choice heavily influences portraits, landscapes, wildlife, and macro results. The Pentax clearly leads on options - critical for serious photographers.

How Do They Handle Different Genres? Practical Results

Photography isn’t just specs - it’s what the camera lets you do creatively. Here I summarize performance across key genres.

Portraiture

The K-5 IIs, with its larger sensor, interchangeable fast lenses, and no anti-aliasing filter, delivers creamy bokeh and stunning skin tone rendition. Its face detection AF aids quick focus on eyes, crucial for portraits.

The FP3’s fixed lens F3.5-5.9 and small sensor limit shallow depth of field control and low-light skin tone accuracy. Use it for simple snapshots but temper expectations if you want true portrait artistry.

Landscape

The K-5 IIs captures more dynamic range (14.1 stops at base ISO), essential for shadow-and-highlight detail in wide vistas. Weather sealing boosts confidence shooting outdoors in varying conditions. The 16 MP resolution provides excellent detail for large prints.

The FP3’s smaller sensor and limited dynamic range lead to flatter images with less room for post-processing flexibility. It’s better suited for casual scenery than professional landscape work.

Wildlife

Pentax’s swift AF system, burst performance, and adaptable telephoto lenses make it a capable wildlife tool, especially if paired with fast primes or tele zooms.

The FP3’s contrast-detection AF and limited zoom range (effective 35-140 mm) fall short for capture of distant, fast-moving critters.

Sports

The K-5 IIs’s 7 fps burst and phase-detection AF tracking shine for sports, plus robust shutter speeds to freeze action. Weather sealing handles outdoor venues.

The FP3’s slower AF and burst mode limit utility for high-speed sports photography.

Street

For street photography, discretion and portability matter. The FP3’s small size is a blessing here, unobtrusive compared to bulky DSLRs.

However, limited AF speed and small sensor mean lower image quality, especially in tricky light.

The K-5 IIs is heavier and more conspicuous but provides better high-ISO performance, faster focusing, and creative control.

Macro

The K-5 IIs combined with dedicated macro lenses gets much closer and sharper results than FP3’s basic macro.

Night and Astro

Here, Pentax’s sensor size and higher native ISO (up to 12,800) plus RAW support (absent in FP3) allow astrophotographers to capture clean images with longer exposures and better noise reduction.

Travel

For light travelers, the FP3’s small size and weight edge out. But the K-5 IIs offers versatility and robustness for serious photo travel when weight can be managed.

Professional Work

Pentax’s support for RAW, high-quality lenses, weather-sealing, and extended battery life demonstrate clear suitability for professionals.

FP3 is a casual camera with few professional capabilities.

Let’s Quantify: Performance Ratings and Genre Scores

The Pentax K-5 IIs scores an impressive 82 overall on DXOMark-derived metrics, notably excelling in color depth (23.9), dynamic range, and low-light ISO performance.

The Panasonic FP3 was not tested by DXOMark, but given sensor specs and era, its scores would be significantly lower.

This chart breaks down genre strengths: the K-5 IIs dominates landscapes, portraits, and sports, while the FP3 is best thought of as an everyday, travel-friendly snapper.

Sample Images Side-by-Side: What to Expect

Panasonic FP3 front Panasonic FP3 screen back Pentax K 5 IIs front Pentax K 5 IIs screen back

Here you see direct JPEG output from each camera. The FP3 renders good colors in bright light but shows pronounced noise at higher ISO and limited dynamic range. The K-5 IIs features rich colors, sharp detail, and better noise control.

Wrapping Up: Who Should Buy Which?

To distill this all down into recommendations:

• Choose the Panasonic FP3 if: You want an ultracompact, user-friendly camera for casual travel, street snapshots, and easy sharing. It’s ultra-portable and affordable (~$180), ideal if size and simplicity trump image quality.

• Choose the Pentax K-5 IIs if: You demand serious image quality, advanced controls, and an extensive lens ecosystem. If you’re into portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, macro, or professional work, and willing to invest ~ $750 for a DSLR experience, this camera will repay you with performance and flexibility.

Final Thoughts From My Experience

I’ve tested thousands of cameras and this pair illustrates a classic trade-off: convenience versus control, size versus quality. The FP3 is a neat little camera for quick snaps when you don’t want to carry extra gear or fiddle with settings. The K-5 IIs stands up to rigorous shooting demands, producing images you’ll want to print large or sell.

In my workflow, the DSLR’s RAW output, weather sealing, and tactile controls mean I often turn to it for serious shoots, while the FP3 might be my pocket-sidekick for moments when a phone just won’t do.

Dear camera shoppers, it comes down to priorities: If you want to elevate your photography ambitions with quality and options, Pentax wins hands down. If ease and portability top your list, Panasonic’s FP3 remains a charming companion.

Happy shooting!

For further reference, check my in-depth sample galleries and video reviews linked above, plus detailed specs to help you decide.