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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Announced April 2009
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Announced February 2015
  • Older Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

Below, we will be matching up the Panasonic FS12 versus Pentax K-S2, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference among the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-S2 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was manufactured 6 years prior to the K-S2 and that is a fairly significant gap as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a quick highlight of how the FS12 scores vs the K-S2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax K-S2

 FS12 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic FS12

 K-S2 FS12 
AnnouncedFebruary 2015April 2009Fresher by 70 months
Focus manually More accurate focusing
Screen typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-S2

 FS12 K-S2 
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry your camera frequently, you have to take into account its weight and size. The Panasonic FS12 provides physical measurements 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-S2 has specifications of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 versus Pentax K-S2 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you have during that time. Underneath is the front view proportions comparison of the FS12 and the K-S2.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and K-S2 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it's difficult to visualize the gap in sensor sizing just by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath may offer you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the FS12 and K-S2.

As you can see, the 2 cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS12 featuring a smaller sensor is going to make getting bokeh harder and the Pentax K-S2 will provide more detail due to its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The older FS12 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Pentax K-S2
21
no manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
78
has manual focus
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography information
Pentax K-S2 Street photography information
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
fully articulated screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography highlights
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography highlights
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low fps (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
70
great max shutter speed (1/6,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking autofocus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 fps)
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography details
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather sealing
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
built-in flash
screen is selfie friendly
not so great battery pack (410 CIPA)
heavier than average (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography features
Pentax K-S2 Landscape photography features
28
image stabilization (Optical)
no manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
lack of manual mode
MP count low (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
no anti aliasing filter
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW files
weather sealing
not so great battery pack (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging features
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging features
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not the best (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not offer selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
71
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detection focus
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have external mic socket
heavier than average (678g)
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-S2
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-04-17 2015-02-10
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 4000 x 3000 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1600 51200
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 5.4 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 grams (0.28 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 410 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Pricing at release $228 $581