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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Introduced January 2010
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Introduced November 2013
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Here, we are comparing the Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FP3 (14MP) and the K-50 (16MP) is fairly close but the FP3 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FP3 was manufactured 4 years prior to the K-50 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a concise overview of how the FP3 matches up vs the K-50 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Pentax K-50

 FP3 K-50 
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic FP3

 K-50 FP3 
IntroducedNovember 2013January 2010More recent by 47 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Display resolution921k230kSharper display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax K-50

 FP3 K-50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display size3"3"Same display sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to lug around your camera, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP3 features exterior measurements of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") accompanied by a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") and a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are employing at that time. Here is a front view size comparison of the FP3 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FP3 and K-50 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements simply by researching technical specs. The photograph here may offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP3 and K-50.

As you have seen, both cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FP3 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-50 will render more detail due to its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will also let you crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The older FP3 will be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Portrait photography camera
28
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
cannot use external flash
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
74
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
provides focus by touch
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
more heavy than average (155g)
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
great ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
more heavy than others (650g)
Photography Glossary

Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Sports photography camera
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
slow fps (5.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
max frames per second low (6.0 frames per second)
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Travel photography features
Pentax K-50 Travel photography features
60
provides focus by touch
MP count good (14MP)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse mode
more heavy than average (155 grams)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
56
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
not so great battery (410 CIPA)
more heavy than others (650g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP3
Landscape photography with Pentax K-50
37
screen is a good size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
MP count good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
lack of manual exposure
sensor is small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse mode
74
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,600)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
not so great battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP3
Vlogging with Pentax K-50
27
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (35mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
more heavy than average (155 grams)
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detection autofocus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone support
more heavy than others (650g)
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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Pentax K-50
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2010-01-06 2013-11-27
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Venus Engine IV PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 16MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4320 x 3240 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 6400 51600
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focus range 10cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 5.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 4.90 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
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)
Max video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155g (0.34 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 score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 pictures
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $182 $610