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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
17
Overall
27
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Panasonic FS15
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 29-145mm (F3.3-5.9) lens
  • 136g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Introduced January 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
  • Released August 2005
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a in depth review of the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax ist DS2, one being a Ultracompact and the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a huge gap between the sensor resolutions of the FS15 (12MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FS15 (1/2.3") and ist DS2 (APS-C) offer totally different sensor size.

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The FS15 was launched 3 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS15 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go right into a detailed comparison, here is a concise highlight of how the FS15 grades vs the ist DS2 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS15 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FS15 ist DS2 
ReleasedJanuary 2009August 2005More recent by 42 months
Display dimensions2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution230k210kSharper display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FS15

 ist DS2 FS15 
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing

Common features in the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax ist DS2

 FS15 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch display Missing Touch display

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to lug around your camera regularly, you have to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS15 features outer dimensions of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") and a weight of 136 grams (0.30 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).

Analyze the Panasonic FS15 and Pentax ist DS2 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the FS15 compared to the ist DS2.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS15 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to envision the gap between sensor measurements just by checking technical specs. The graphic underneath will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FS15 and ist DS2.

As you have seen, the two cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FS15 due to its tinier sensor will make achieving shallow DOF trickier and the Panasonic FS15 will give greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively. The more recent FS15 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Portrait photography camera
20
lack of manual focus
no manual exposure
no external flash support
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
50
manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
does not have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS15 as a Street photography camera
Pentax ist DS2 as a Street photography camera
56
has image stabilization (Optical)
no articulating screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
lighter than others in class (605g)
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Sports photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography features
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
low fps (3.0 frames/s)
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Travel photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography details
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse function
MP count low (12MP)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
52
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Landscape photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography details
27
has image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is small (2.7 inch)
no manual exposure
MP count low (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW files
doesn't have Time Lapse function
46
manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
does not have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS15 Vlogging details
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging details
25
has image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not fantastic (29mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
22
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video quality not great ( pxls)
does not have mic socket
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Panasonic FS15 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS15 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS15 Pentax ist DS2
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-01-16 2005-08-22
Physical type Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 6 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 3008 x 2008
Max native ISO 1600 3200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens focal range 29-145mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.3-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 2.7 inch 2.5 inch
Resolution of screen 230k dots 210k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash modes Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Max video resolution 640x480 -
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic 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
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 136g (0.30 pounds) 605g (1.33 pounds)
Physical dimensions 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
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 model - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card
Card slots 1 1
Cost at release $180 -