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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
14
Overall
26
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic FS12
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 31-124mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 129g - 97 x 55 x 22mm
  • Revealed April 2009
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced August 2005
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a extensive comparison of the Panasonic FS12 versus Pentax ist DS2, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a crucial gap between the resolutions of the FS12 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FS12 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizing.

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The FS12 was introduced 3 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a serious gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS12 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summation of how the FS12 scores versus the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS12 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FS12 ist DS2 
IntroducedApril 2009August 2005More recent by 45 months
Display size2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kSharper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FS12

 ist DS2 FS12 
Manually focus Dial precise focus

Common features in the Panasonic FS12 and Pentax ist DS2

 FS12 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch display Neither features Touch display

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS12 enjoys outside dimensions of 97mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 129 grams (0.28 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS12 versus Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you have chosen during that time. Following is a front view proportions comparison of the FS12 compared to the ist DS2.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS12 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it's difficult to visualize the gap between sensor measurements only by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath should offer you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS12 and ist DS2.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FS12 using its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field tougher and the Panasonic FS12 will give you extra detail using its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also let you crop photos way more aggressively. The fresher FS12 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor technology.

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
21
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
doesn't have liveview
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Street photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography features
57
image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS12
Sports photography with Pentax ist DS2
25
image stabilization (Optical)
low frames per second (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect autofocus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
max frames per second very slow (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS12 Travel photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography info
51
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
52
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse mode
megapixel count low (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS12
Landscape photography with Pentax ist DS2
28
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
cannot change lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.7 inch)
lack of manual exposure
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
lack of Timelapse recording
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
doesn't have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
does not have Timelapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS12
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
25
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of external microphone jack
22
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Panasonic FS12 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS12 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS12 Pentax ist DS2
Type Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-04-17 2005-08-22
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 1600 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 31-124mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.7" 2.5"
Display resolution 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m -
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB 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) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 129 gr (0.28 lb) 605 gr (1.33 lb)
Physical dimensions 97 x 55 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.2" x 0.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at launch $228 -