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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax K-x front
Portability
69
Imaging
52
Features
47
Overall
50

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Launched April 2009
Pentax K-x
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 580g - 123 x 92 x 68mm
  • Introduced December 2009
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x Overview

Below, we will be looking at the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax K-x, former is a Ultracompact while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the K-x (12MP) is pretty well matched but the FS42 (1/2.5") and K-x (APS-C) feature different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was launched 8 months before the K-x which means that they are of a similar age. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K-x being a Compact SLR camera.

Before diving straight into a in-depth comparison, below is a concise highlight of how the FS42 grades against the K-x with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax K-x

 FS42 K-x 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-x over the Panasonic FS42

 K-x FS42 
IntroducedDecember 2009April 2009More modern by 8 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-x

 FS42 K-x 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither offers Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Panasonic FS42 offers outside dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-x has sizing of 123mm x 92mm x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7") with a weight of 580 grams (1.28 lbs).

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

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you have attached during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the FS42 compared to the K-x.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and K-x is 95 and 69 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it's tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes purely by looking at a spec sheet. The image below will help offer you a stronger sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and K-x.

As you can see, the two cameras posses different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The FS42 because of its tinier sensor is going to make achieving bokeh trickier and the Pentax K-x will resolve greater detail utilizing its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography advice
Pentax K-x Portrait photography advice
19
no manual focus
no manual control
external flash not possible
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
63
focusing manually
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focusing
saves RAW formats
low megapixels (12MP)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Pentax K-x
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
low maximum ISO (1,000)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Pentax K-x
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
61
max shutter speed is good (1/6,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
better than average battery (1,900 per charge)
has phase detect AF
painfully slow continuous shooting (5.0 fps)
low megapixels (12MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography highlights
Pentax K-x Travel photography highlights
51
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
54
better than average battery (1,900 CIPA)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
low megapixels (12MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography factors
Pentax K-x Landscape photography factors
22
no manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual control
no image stabilization
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
low maximum ISO (1,000)
lacks RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
61
focusing manually
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
better than average battery (1,900 per charge)
small screen (2.7 inches)
low megapixels (12MP)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging advice
Pentax K-x Vlogging advice
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
does not have mic jack
27
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focusing
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 resolution)
no microphone support
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K-x Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K-x
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax K-x
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax K-x
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-04-17 2009-12-23
Physical type Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 2848
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 6.3 1.5
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inch 2.7 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 230 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 96%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.57x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000s 1/6000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 16.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear curtain, Wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180s
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) 1280 x 720 (24 fps), 640 x 416 (24 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lb) 580 gr (1.28 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 123 x 92 x 68mm (4.8" x 3.6" x 2.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 72
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 22.8
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 12.5
DXO Low light rating not tested 811
Other
Battery life - 1900 images
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC card
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $580 $600