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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • 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 RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Launched March 2011
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Lets look a bit more closely at the Panasonic FS12 versus Pentax RS1500, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FS12 (12MP) and the RS1500 (14MP) is pretty similar and both cameras offer the same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The FS12 was introduced 23 months before the RS1500 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both of these cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before going straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick view of how the FS12 grades versus the RS1500 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax RS1500

 FS12 RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic FS12

 RS1500 FS12 
LaunchedMarch 2011April 2009More modern by 23 months
Manual focus Very exact focus

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax RS1500

 FS12 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimensions2.7"2.7"Equal screen measurement
Screen resolution230k230kSame screen resolution
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch screen Neither offers Touch screen

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will need to factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS12 offers exterior dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) whilst the Pentax RS1500 has sizing of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS12 versus Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the FS12 compared to the RS1500.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the FS12 and RS1500 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to envision the gap between sensor sizes purely by reviewing technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and RS1500.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You should expect the Pentax RS1500 to offer you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also allow you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged FS12 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS12
Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
21
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
low MP (12MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
35
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
manual mode not available
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS12
Street photography with Pentax RS1500
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
54
environment proof
fixed screen
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
37
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography highlights
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography highlights
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
67
environment proof
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
really wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse function
does not contain selfie friendly screen
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Landscape photography factors
Pentax RS1500 Landscape photography factors
28
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
low MP (12 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
40
has manual focus
really wide (28mm)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
environment proof
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
small screen (2.7 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Vlogging info
Pentax RS1500 Vlogging info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (31mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external mic port
25
really wide (28mm)
slow maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
low res video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone port
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax Optio RS1500
Class Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Announced 2009-04-17 2011-03-16
Body design Ultracompact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1600 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 80
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 31-124mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 5.9 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.7 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Screen tech - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1500 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per second 1.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Set WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 129 gr (0.28 pounds) 157 gr (0.35 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
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 - 260 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $228 $150