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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax K-50 front
Portability
63
Imaging
58
Features
65
Overall
60

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Increase to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Announced April 2009
Pentax K-50
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 650g - 130 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced November 2013
  • Old Model is Pentax K-30
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Overview

Following is a detailed comparison of the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax K-50, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizeable difference between the resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and K-50 (16MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and K-50 (APS-C) feature different sensor sizes.

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The FS42 was unveiled 5 years prior to the K-50 which is quite a large gap as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-50 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a simple summary of how the FS42 matches up against the K-50 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax K-50

 FS42 K-50 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-50 over the Panasonic FS42

 K-50 FS42 
AnnouncedNovember 2013April 2009More modern by 56 months
Manual focus More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-50

 FS42 K-50 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither includes Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Physical Comparison

When you are looking to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 features external dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax K-50 has sizing of 130mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8") accompanied by a weight of 650 grams (1.43 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax K-50 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you use at that time. The following is the front view size comparison of the FS42 compared to the K-50.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and K-50 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to visualize the contrast between sensor sizes just by looking at technical specs. The image below may provide you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and K-50.

As you can tell, both of these cameras offer different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS42 with its tinier sensor is going to make getting bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-50 will resolve extra detail having an extra 6 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also enable you to crop photographs a little more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Pentax K-50
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
no external flash support
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
74
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography information
Pentax K-50 Street photography information
47
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of RAW files
low max ISO (1,000)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
very good high ISO (51,600)
no articulating screen
heavier than others in class (650 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography info
Pentax K-50 Sports photography info
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect auto focus
67
high shutter speed (1/6,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
very slow continuous shooting (6.0 frames per second)
bad battery power (410 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography factors
Pentax K-50 Travel photography factors
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Timelapse function
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
56
environment proof
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
bad battery power (410 shots)
heavier than others in class (650 grams)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-50 as a Landscape photography camera
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5")
lack of manual mode
does not have image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
lack of RAW files
doesn't have Timelapse function
74
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
very good high ISO (51,600)
exports RAW formats
environment proof
bad battery power (410 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging details
Pentax K-50 Vlogging details
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have microphone support
28
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focus
video res high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of mic port
heavier than others in class (650 grams)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-50
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax K-50
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax K-50
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-04-17 2013-11-27
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - PRIME M
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Full resolution 3648 x 2736 4928 x 3264
Max native ISO 1000 51600
Max boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Available lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 921 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0 frames per sec 6.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Slow Sync+Redeye, Trailing Curtain Sync, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/180s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30,25,24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60,50,30,25,24 fps), 640 x 424 (30,25,24 fps)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic 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 Optional
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 lbs) 650g (1.43 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 130 x 97 x 71mm (5.1" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 79
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 13.0
DXO Low light rating not tested 1120
Other
Battery life - 410 photographs
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots Single Single
Retail pricing $580 $610