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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Expand to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 IIs, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a sizeable gap among the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) come with totally different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was brought out 5 years prior to the K-5 IIs and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a quick view of how the FS12 grades vs the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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

 FS12 K-5 IIs 

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

 K-5 IIs FS12 
LaunchedJune 2013April 2009More recent by 50 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kCrisper screen (+691k dot)

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

 FS12 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

If you are looking to lug around your camera, you will have to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys external measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-5 IIs has dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Contrast the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 IIs in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have chosen during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS12 versus the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and K-5 IIs is 95 and 60 respectively.

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

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to envision the gap in sensor measurements just by checking out specs. The visual below will offer you a more clear sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and K-5 IIs.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FS12 due to its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Pentax K-5 IIs will provide more detail having its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The older FS12 will be behind with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Portrait photography factors
21
lack of manual focus
manual exposure not possible
no external flash support
megapixel count low (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
74
you can focus manually
megapixel count decent (16MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 IIs Street photography information
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
79
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
weather proofing
has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
no Time Lapse recording
megapixel count low (12MP)
does not have a selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proofing
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography advice
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography advice
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not possible
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
does not have RAW format
no Time Lapse recording
79
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
decent sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (16 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging features
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (640 x 480 resolution)
no mic support
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has microphone jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-5 IIs
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-04-17 2013-06-04
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - 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 surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW pictures
Minimum boosted ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings 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
Highest flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported 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)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone input
Headphone input
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129g (0.28 lb) 760g (1.68 lb)
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 rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1208
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at launch $228 $749