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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FP8
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-128mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 151g - 96 x 60 x 20mm
  • Announced July 2009
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Released April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

Here, we will be analyzing the Panasonic FP8 and Pentax K-3, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap between the resolutions of the FP8 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the FP8 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The FP8 was manufactured 5 years earlier than the K-3 which is quite a big gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a simple synopsis of how the FP8 matches up versus the K-3 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Pentax K-3

 FP8 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic FP8

 K-3 FP8 
ReleasedApril 2014July 2009Newer by 57 months
Focus manually Dial exact focusing
Screen size3.2"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution1037k230kClearer screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Pentax K-3

 FP8 K-3 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither comes with Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

For those who are looking to travel with your camera often, you will have to factor its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FP8 comes with exterior measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") having a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) while the Pentax K-3 has measurements of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Examine the Panasonic FP8 and Pentax K-3 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view sizing comparison of the FP8 and the K-3.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FP8 and K-3 is 95 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Normally, it is difficult to envision the gap between sensor dimensions simply by looking at specs. The picture below will give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FP8 and K-3.

All in all, the 2 cameras come with different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FP8 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallower DOF trickier and the Pentax K-3 will resolve more detail due to its extra 12 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop pictures a good deal more aggressively. The more aged FP8 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography features
Pentax K-3 Portrait photography features
21
no manual focus
manual mode not available
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
79
manual focus
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
55
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
more heavy than competition (151g)
69
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
above average ISO range (51,200)
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Sports photography camera
24
image stabilization (Optical)
low max shutter speed (1/1,300s)
slow frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
76
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proof
supports phase detect AF
not so great battery (560 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-3 Travel photography factors
56
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
more heavy than competition (151g)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
does not offer selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.3)
60
environment proof
megapixel count decent (24MP)
has built in flash
not so great battery (560 per charge)
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FP8
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
32
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
cannot switch lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
small screen (2.7")
manual mode not available
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
does not have Timelapse recording
77
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a decent size (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
environment proof
two card slots
not so great battery (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FP8
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
28
relatively wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
does not offer selfie friendly display
video quality not great (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have microphone support
more heavy than competition (151 grams)
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection focusing
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with external microphone socket
doesn't have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Pentax K-3
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Pentax K-3
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-07-27 2014-04-10
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Venus Engine V Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 5.50 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, on, off, red-eye, slow sync, slow sync + red-eye, trailing curtain sync, high speed, wireless, manual
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 seconds
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 151g (0.33 pounds) 800g (1.76 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 80
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.4
DXO Low light rating not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 pictures
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 2
Launch cost $300 $639