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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax K20D front
Portability
59
Imaging
53
Features
52
Overall
52

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Raise to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Pentax K20D
(Full Review)
  • 15MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200 (Raise to 6400)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 800g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Revealed June 2008
  • Previous Model is Pentax K10D
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Overview

In this write-up, we are reviewing the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by companies Panasonic and Pentax. There is a considerable difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and K20D (15MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and K20D (APS-C) come with different sensor measurements.

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The FS42 was launched 10 months after the K20D and they are of a similar age. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax K20D being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the FS42 grades versus the K20D with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax K20D

 FS42 K20D 
RevealedApril 2009June 2008Newer by 10 months

Reasons to pick Pentax K20D over the Panasonic FS42

 K20D FS42 
Manually focus Dial precise focusing
Display sizing2.7"2.5"Larger display (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K20D

 FS42 K20D 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display resolution230k230kEqual display resolution
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither offers Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to take into account its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 offers physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) while the Pentax K20D has dimensions of 142mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8") and a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are using at that time. Below is the front view size comparison of the FS42 compared to the K20D.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D size comparison

Looking at size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and K20D is 95 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the gap between sensor dimensions only by reviewing specs. The image underneath will help offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and K20D.

All in all, both of those cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FS42 because of its tinier sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field more challenging and the Pentax K20D will offer you more detail utilizing its extra 5 Megapixels. Greater resolution will enable you to crop pics far more aggressively. The newer FS42 should have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography highlights
Pentax K20D Portrait photography highlights
19
focusing manually not possible
no manual control
external flash not possible
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
71
manual focus
decent megapixels (15 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography factors
Pentax K20D Street photography factors
47
screen is fixed
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
max ISO too low (1,000)
65
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
no articulating screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Pentax K20D
16
slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
68
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
weather proofing
supports phase detect auto focus
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames/s)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography information
Pentax K20D Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse function
low MP (10MP)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
64
weather proofing
decent megapixels (15MP)
flash built-in
does not have selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K20D as a Landscape photography camera
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5")
no manual control
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
no RAW format
doesn't have Timelapse function
70
manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (15MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather proofing
small screen (2.7 inches)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Pentax K20D
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external microphone port
9
lack of video recording
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax K20D Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax K20D
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax K20D
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax K20D
Category Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2008-06-25
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 15 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4672 x 3104
Maximum native ISO 1000 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 6400
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 6.3 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain, wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest 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) -
Maximum video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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 seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132 gr (0.29 lb) 800 gr (1.76 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested 65
DXO Color Depth score not tested 22.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 639
Other
Battery model - D-LI50
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at release $580 $700