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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-3 front
Portability
59
Imaging
65
Features
85
Overall
73

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Pentax K-3
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
  • Announced April 2014
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-3 II
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Overview

On this page, we are contrasting the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-3, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the sensor resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K-3 (24MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-3 (APS-C) posses totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS12 was announced 6 years prior to the K-3 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-3 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a brief highlight of how the FS12 grades against the K-3 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax K-3

 FS12 K-3 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 over the Panasonic FS12

 K-3 FS12 
AnnouncedApril 2014April 2009Fresher by 60 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Display dimensions3.2"2.7"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution1037k230kSharper display (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-3

 FS12 K-3 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Physical Comparison

If you are going to carry your camera regularly, you'll have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys outer measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") along with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-3 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with at the time. Following is a front view physical size comparison of the FS12 compared to the K-3.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and K-3 is 95 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's difficult to see the contrast in sensor sizing only by checking out specifications. The graphic here might provide you a greater sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and K-3.

To sum up, both the cameras have different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS12 with its smaller sensor will make shooting shallow DOF tougher and the Pentax K-3 will provide extra detail with its extra 12 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older FS12 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-3 as a Portrait photography camera
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not available
external flash not possible
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
79
has manual focus
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography info
Pentax K-3 Street photography info
57
image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
69
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography advice
Pentax K-3 Sports photography advice
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect auto focus
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery life (560 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse recording
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
weather sealing
megapixel count good (24 megapixels)
has built in flash
not so great battery life (560 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Pentax K-3
28
image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not available
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
missing Time Lapse recording
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
two card slots
not so great battery life (560 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
Vlogging with Pentax K-3
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
missing mic socket
34
image stabilization (Sensor based)
provides face detect autofocus
high video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-3 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-3
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-3
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-3
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-04-17 2014-04-10
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime III
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1600 51200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 27
Cross focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.7" 3.2"
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 1,037 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/8000s
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 8.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 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
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (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)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 800g (1.76 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 80
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 1216
Other
Battery life - 560 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 Dual
Cost at release $228 $639