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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched December 2010
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-7
  • Refreshed by Pentax K-5 IIs
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a big gap among the image resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) use different sensor sizing.

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The FS12 was revealed 20 months earlier than the K-5 which makes the cameras a generation apart from one another. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting through a thorough comparison, below is a concise summation of how the FS12 matches up vs the K-5 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax K-5

 FS12 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic FS12

 K-5 FS12 
LaunchedDecember 2010April 2009More recent by 20 months
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5

 FS12 K-5 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to lug around your camera frequently, you need to factor its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys outside dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have attached at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the FS12 compared to the K-5.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and K-5 is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is very hard to visualize the contrast in sensor measurements simply by going through specifications. The photograph below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and K-5.

To sum up, both of these cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FS12 with its smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh more challenging and the Pentax K-5 will show extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop pictures a little more aggressively. The older FS12 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography details
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography details
21
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
can't use external flash
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
73
has manual focus
good MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Pentax K-5
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking focus
environment proof
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-5 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
no Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
environment proof
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7")
manual mode not possible
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Timelapse recording
78
has manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Pentax K-5 Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 pxls)
no external microphone socket
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 resolution)
comes with microphone socket
display is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-5
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-5
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2010-12-18
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 16MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 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, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Max flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 grams (0.28 pounds) 740 grams (1.63 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail cost $228 $800