Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5
95 Imaging
35 Features
14 Overall
26
![Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS12/Panasonic-FS12-front.jpg)
![Pentax K-5 front Pentax K-5 front](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/cameras/gallery/medium/Pentax-K-5/Pentax-K-5-front.jpg)
60 Imaging
56 Features
82 Overall
66
Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs
(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
(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
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/No-Surprise-Pentax-17-Pre-Orders-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/samsung-evo-microsd-cards-featur-218x150.jpg)
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.
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/maxresdefault-218x150.jpg)
Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Pentax K-5. The full galleries are provided at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Pentax K-5 Gallery.
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 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | December 2010 | ![]() | April 2009 | More recent by 20 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More accurate focus | ||
Screen sizing | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 921k | ![]() | 230k | Clearer screen (+691k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5
FS12 | K-5 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | 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 Camera Size Comparison with Lenses](https://pxlmag.com/db/assets/camera-size-comparison-animation.gif)
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 Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS12-vs-Pentax-K-5-size-comparison.jpg)
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 top view buttons comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS12-vs-Pentax-K-5-top-view-buttons-comparison.jpg)
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 sensor size comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/sensor-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS12-vs-Pentax-K-5-sensor-size-comparison.png)
Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder
![Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison](https://pxlmag.com/db/images/camera-compare/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-FS12-vs-Pentax-K-5-screen-back-comparison.jpg)
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LP3_cut_13f_0212-218x150.jpg)
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tiktok-218x150.jpg)
Street Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapchat-218x150.jpg)
Sports Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/iphone-optical-stabilization-218x150.jpg)
Travel Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Approach-to-AI-Generated-Content-218x150.jpg)
Landscape Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ai-licence-218x150.jpg)
Vlogging Comparison
![](https://pxlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/photography-glossary-218x150.jpg)
Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 | Pentax 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 |