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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x 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
  • Introduced April 2009
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Raise to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Released December 2009
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x Overview

The following is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The image resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the K-x (12MP) is relatively comparable but the FS12 (1/2.3") and K-x (APS-C) boast different sensor sizing.

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was manufactured 8 months earlier than the K-x which means that they are of a similar generation. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a detailed comparison, here is a quick summary of how the FS12 scores vs the K-x with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax K-x

 FS12 K-x 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic FS12

 K-x FS12 
ReleasedDecember 2009April 2009Newer by 8 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-x

 FS12 K-x 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kIdentical screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

When you are planning to travel with your camera, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS12 provides physical dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) and the Pentax K-x has proportions of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you have chosen during that time. Below is a front view dimension comparison of the FS12 compared to the K-x.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and K-x is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it can be difficult to picture the contrast in sensor dimensions simply by checking out a spec sheet. The pic below should provide you a stronger sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and K-x.

As you can see, each of these cameras provide the same megapixels albeit different sensor dimensions. The FS12 has got the smaller sensor which should make obtaining bokeh trickier. The more aged FS12 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Pentax K-x
21
lack of manual focus
no manual control
no external flash support
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-x as a Street photography camera
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Sports photography info
Pentax K-x Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
61
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 per charge)
supports phase detect autofocus
slow frames per second (5.0 fps)
megapixel count low (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS12
Travel photography with Pentax K-x
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
low resolution sensor (12MP)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
better than average battery (1,900 CIPA)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-x Landscape photography highlights
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
no manual control
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
lack of Timelapse function
61
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
better than average battery (1,900 shots)
tiny screen (2.7")
megapixel count low (12 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-x Vlogging factors
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone socket
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
includes face detect autofocus
display isn't selfie friendly
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic support
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax K-x
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax K-x
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2009-12-23
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
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) -
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7 inches 2.7 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames per sec 5.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 16.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 pounds) 580 gr (1.28 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 72
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 12.5
DXO Low light score not tested 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 photographs
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Pricing at launch $228 $600