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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
25
Overall
31
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic FP3
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 35-140mm (F3.5-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 99 x 59 x 19mm
  • Announced January 2010
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Released August 2005
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Following is a detailed assessment of the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax ist DS2, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap between the resolutions of the FP3 (14MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FP3 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) enjoy different sensor sizing.

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The FP3 was unveiled 4 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FP3 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the FP3 matches up versus the ist DS2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP3 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FP3 ist DS2 
ReleasedJanuary 2010August 2005More modern by 54 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k210kCrisper screen (+20k dot)
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FP3

 ist DS2 FP3 
Manual focus More precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax ist DS2

 FP3 ist DS2 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FP3 comes with external dimensions of 99mm x 59mm x 19mm (3.9" x 2.3" x 0.7") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") and a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FP3 and Pentax ist DS2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have during that time. The following is the front view sizing comparison of the FP3 against the ist DS2.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FP3 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's tough to imagine the contrast between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The picture underneath will help provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FP3 and ist DS2.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FP3 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FP3 will resolve extra detail having an extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop shots much more aggressively. The younger FP3 provides an edge in sensor tech.

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Portrait photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography features
28
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
50
you can focus manually
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
does not have liveview
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP3 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
60
has image stabilization (Optical)
boasts focus via touch
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
heavier than average (155 grams)
60
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FP3
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
34
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
38
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Travel photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography highlights
60
boasts focus via touch
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
heavier than average (155 grams)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse mode
MP count low (6 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP3 Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography factors
37
screen size is decent (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
no manual control
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
46
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (6 megapixels)
no Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP3
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
27
built-in touchscreen
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (35mm)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have external mic support
heavier than average (155g)
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
does not feature selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pxls)
no mic jack
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Panasonic FP3 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP3 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP3 Pentax ist DS2
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Announced 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 dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4320 x 3240 3008 x 2008
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 9 11
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 35-140mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 10cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3 inch 2.5 inch
Display resolution 230k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/1600 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 5.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.90 m -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Syncro Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 gr (0.34 lbs) 605 gr (1.33 lbs)
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 Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $182 -