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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax K-S2 front
Portability
64
Imaging
64
Features
82
Overall
71

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 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
  • Introduced April 2009
Pentax K-S2
(Full Review)
  • 20MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 678g - 123 x 91 x 73mm
  • Introduced February 2015
  • Earlier Model is Pentax K-S1
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 Overview

In this article, we are evaluating the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-S2, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a noticeable difference among the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and K-S2 (20MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and K-S2 (APS-C) possess different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was manufactured 6 years before the K-S2 and that is a fairly sizable difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-S2 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going in to a thorough comparison, below is a quick synopsis of how the FS42 matches up vs the K-S2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax K-S2

 FS42 K-S2 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-S2 over the Panasonic FS42

 K-S2 FS42 
IntroducedFebruary 2015April 2009More recent by 70 months
Manually focus More exact focusing
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-S2

 FS42 K-S2 
Touch friendly display Absent Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 features exterior dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax K-S2 has proportions of 123mm x 91mm x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9") and a weight of 678 grams (1.49 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-S2 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you have at that time. The following is the front view dimensions comparison of the FS42 versus the K-S2.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and K-S2 is 95 and 64 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it is very difficult to visualize the difference in sensor measurements simply by viewing a spec sheet. The graphic below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and K-S2.

Clearly, each of these cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor measurements. The FS42 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-S2 will result in greater detail due to its extra 10 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images far more aggressively. The older FS42 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Portrait photography camera
Pentax K-S2 as a Portrait photography camera
19
no manual focus
manual exposure not available
external flash not possible
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
78
has manual focus
megapixel count good (20MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
Pentax K-S2 Street photography details
47
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks RAW format
low maximum ISO (1,000)
72
fully articulated screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
heavier than competition (678g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
Pentax K-S2 Sports photography features
16
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
70
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with tracking focus
weather proof
comes with phase detect auto focus
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.4 frames/s)
terrible battery (410 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography info
Pentax K-S2 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
no Time Lapse mode
sensor resolution low (10 megapixels)
does not feature selfie friendly display
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proof
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
terrible battery (410 CIPA)
heavier than competition (678 grams)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
Landscape photography with Pentax K-S2
22
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (10MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW format
no Time Lapse mode
77
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (20 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
very good ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
terrible battery (410 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging info
Pentax K-S2 Vlogging info
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not feature selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
no mic port
71
selfie friendly screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
comes with face detect focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
does have mic port
heavier than competition (678g)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-S2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-S2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax K-S2
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax K-S2
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2015-02-10
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - PRIME MII
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 20 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 5472 x 3648
Highest native ISO 1000 51200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 6.3 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Display size 2.5" 3"
Resolution of display 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 5.4fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 12.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on, flash on + redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual flash
External flash
AEB
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) 1920 x 1080 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None Optional
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 pounds) 678 grams (1.49 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 91 x 73mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.9")
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 life - 410 images
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Storage slots 1 1
Price at launch $580 $581