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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II 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-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Expand to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 II, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a large gap among the sensor resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) possess different sensor dimensions.

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The FS12 was unveiled 5 years earlier than the K-5 II and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving through a more detailed comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the FS12 matches up vs the K-5 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax K-5 II

 FS12 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic FS12

 K-5 II FS12 
ReleasedJune 2013April 2009Fresher by 50 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 II

 FS12 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither has Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is aiming to carry your camera regularly, you will want to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 has outer dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has specifications of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached at that moment. Below is the front view size comparison of the FS12 and the K-5 II.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and K-5 II is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very tough to visualize the contrast in sensor sizing simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic underneath will help give you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and K-5 II.

Clearly, both of these cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS12 having a smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-5 II will render greater detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The older FS12 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 II
21
focusing manually not possible
no manual exposure
external flash not possible
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
screen is fixed
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 II Sports photography details
25
image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect AF
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
features tracking focus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Pentax K-5 II
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proofing
megapixel count good (16MP)
has built in flash
display isn't selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Pentax K-5 II
28
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse recording
79
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone port
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect autofocus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
comes with mic port
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-5 II
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-04-17 2013-06-04
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max boosted ISO 6400 51200
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Lowest boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lbs) 760 gr (1.68 lbs)
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 All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 pictures
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery model - 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
Storage slots Single Single
Retail price $228 $830