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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Pentax K-5 II front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
82
Overall
67

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Raise to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Boost to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Overview

In this article, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax K-5 II, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference among the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and K-5 II (16MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and K-5 II (APS-C) feature totally different sensor measurements.

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The FS15 was revealed 5 years earlier than the K-5 II and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the FS15 scores against the K-5 II when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Pentax K-5 II

 FS15 K-5 II 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Panasonic FS15

 K-5 II FS15 
ReleasedJune 2013January 2009More recent by 53 months
Focus manually More exact focus
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax K-5 II

 FS15 K-5 II 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Absent Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to lug around your camera, you will have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS15 has got physical dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 136 grams (0.30 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 II has measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax K-5 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have at the time. Following is the front view measurement comparison of the FS15 vs the K-5 II.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and K-5 II is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it's difficult to visualise the contrast in sensor measurements just by seeing specs. The graphic below should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS15 and K-5 II.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The FS15 having a smaller sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K-5 II will provide extra detail because of its extra 4 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also make it easier to crop pictures far more aggressively. The older FS15 will be behind with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
20
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
manual focus
decent MP (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports face detect focus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Street photography information
Pentax K-5 II Street photography information
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
screen does not articulate
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS15
Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
max frames per second low (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect auto focus
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports tracking focus
environment proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax K-5 II as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
65
environment proof
decent MP (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 II Landscape photography highlights
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
manual exposure not available
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
79
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW files
environment proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging details
Pentax K-5 II Vlogging details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not great (29mm)
slow max aperture (f3.3)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic port
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
supports face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
does have microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly screen
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax K-5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Pentax K-5 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Pentax K-5 II
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Pentax K-5 II
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-01-16 2013-06-04
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Max enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Minimum enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.7 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Min shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 2.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136g (0.30 lbs) 760g (1.68 lbs)
Dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1235
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Battery type - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Pricing at release $180 $830