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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Revealed November 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

The following is a comprehensive analysis of the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-50, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference between the image resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-50 (APS-C) come with different sensor sizes.

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The FS12 was unveiled 5 years before the K-50 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of these cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a detailed comparison, below is a brief summation of how the FS12 scores versus the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax K-50

 FS12 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic FS12

 K-50 FS12 
RevealedNovember 2013April 2009Newer by 56 months
Focus manually Dial accurate focus
Display dimension3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-50

 FS12 K-50 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch display Neither provides Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to travel with your camera regularly, you need to factor in its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 provides external measurements of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has dimensions of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-50 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you choose during that time. Here is the front view physical size comparison of the FS12 and the K-50.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the FS12 and K-50 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is tough to imagine the contrast between sensor dimensions simply by reading technical specs. The picture below should offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the FS12 and K-50.

As you have seen, both of the cameras posses different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FS12 using its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax K-50 will deliver greater detail having an extra 4MP. Greater resolution will make it easier to crop pics somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Portrait photography highlights
20
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
cannot use external flash
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography highlights
Pentax K-50 Street photography highlights
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
65
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
above average ISO range (51,600)
screen does not articulate
heavier than others in class (650g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Pentax K-50
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
67
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment sealing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low frames per second (6.0 fps)
low battery life (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-50 Travel photography advice
51
built-in flash
no Timelapse function
megapixel count low (12MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
56
environment sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
low battery life (410 shots)
heavier than others in class (650 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-50 Landscape photography features
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
no Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
above average ISO range (51,600)
delivers RAW files
environment sealing
low battery life (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Vlogging camera
Pentax K-50 as a Vlogging camera
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no external microphone jack
28
image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detection autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does not offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
heavier than others in class (650 grams)
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-50
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-50
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-04-17 2013-11-27
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - PRIME M
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 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 51600
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
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 mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 6.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
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 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 grams (0.28 pounds) 650 grams (1.43 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 79
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.0
DXO Low light score not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
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 1 1
Retail price $228 $610