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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
20
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 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 ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a comprehensive review of the Panasonic FP8 versus Pentax ist DS2, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the FP8 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FP8 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) possess different sensor sizing.

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The FP8 was announced 3 years later than the ist DS2 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FP8 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a detailed comparison, below is a simple summary of how the FP8 grades vs the ist DS2 for portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FP8 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FP8 ist DS2 
LaunchedJuly 2009August 2005More recent by 48 months
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kSharper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FP8

 ist DS2 FP8 
Manual focus Dial exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic FP8 and Pentax ist DS2

 FP8 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera frequently, you'll have to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FP8 features physical measurements of 96mm x 60mm x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") and a weight of 151 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has sizing of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") having a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FP8 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that moment. Below is the front view overall size comparison of the FP8 vs the ist DS2.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the FP8 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is hard to imagine the gap in sensor measurements purely by researching a spec sheet. The photograph underneath will provide you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FP8 and ist DS2.

As you can see, each of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FP8 with its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Panasonic FP8 will result in extra detail with its extra 6MP. Greater resolution will allow you to crop photos a little more aggressively. The younger FP8 provides an edge in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Portrait photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography advice
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
sensor resolution not great (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
50
you can focus manually
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
no liveview
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Street photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography advice
55
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
heavier than competition (151g)
60
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen is fixed
no image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Sports photography camera
24
has image stabilization (Optical)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,300 seconds)
max frames per second very slow (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
no liveview
max fps very slow (3.0 fps)
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FP8 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Travel photography camera
56
built-in flash
rather wide (28mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
heavier than competition (151 grams)
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
low MP (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Landscape photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography factors
32
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual mode
sensor resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse recording
46
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
no liveview
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FP8 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging details
28
rather wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
lack of mic port
heavier than competition (151g)
22
lighter than competition in class (605g)
screen isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low ( pixels)
does not have mic support
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Panasonic FP8 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FP8 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP8 Pentax ist DS2
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Announced 2009-07-27 2005-08-22
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip Venus Engine V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 6400 3200
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 28-128mm (4.6x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7" 2.5"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 210 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/1300 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.50 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AE bracketing
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), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 151g (0.33 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 96 x 60 x 20mm (3.8" x 2.4" x 0.8") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Launch price $300 -