Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax K100D S

Below, we will be evaluating the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K100D S, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and K100D S (6MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and K100D S (APS-C) use totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The FS12 was announced 22 months after the K100D S which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K100D S being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple view of how the FS12 matches up versus the K100D S with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Following is a preview of the gallery images for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 and Pentax K100D Super. The whole galleries are provided at Panasonic FS12 Gallery and Pentax K100D S Gallery.

For anyone who is intending to carry around your camera frequently, you are going to need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS12 has physical dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax K100D S has sizing of 129mm x 91mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.6" x 2.8") along with a weight of 646 grams (1.42 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax K100D S in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are working with at that moment. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FS12 compared to the K100D S.

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and K100D S is 95 and 65 respectively.

Often, it can be tough to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at a spec sheet. The image underneath will help offer you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS12 and K100D S.

Clearly, both cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS12 using its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Panasonic FS12 will give greater detail with its extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs much more aggressively. The fresher FS12 will have an edge when it comes to sensor tech.