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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax KP front
Portability
61
Imaging
67
Features
76
Overall
70

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Pentax KP
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 819200
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/6000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 703g - 132 x 101 x 76mm
  • Introduced January 2017
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Overview

Its time to look much closer at the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax KP, former being a Ultracompact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a substantial difference among the image resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and KP (24MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and KP (APS-C) posses different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was unveiled 8 years earlier than the KP and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax KP being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before getting right into a in depth comparison, here is a concise summation of how the FS42 scores vs the KP for portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax KP

 FS42 KP 

Reasons to pick Pentax KP over the Panasonic FS42

 KP FS42 
IntroducedJanuary 2017April 2009Fresher by 94 months
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kSharper screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax KP

 FS42 KP 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera frequently, you're going to have to think about its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys physical 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) while the Pentax KP has measurements of 132mm x 101mm x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0") with a weight of 703 grams (1.55 lbs).

See the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax KP in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the FS42 versus the KP.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and KP is 95 and 61 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to picture the difference in sensor sizing merely by viewing specifications. The photograph here may offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and KP.

To sum up, both of those cameras come with different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS42 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax KP will result in greater detail having an extra 14MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs a good deal more aggressively. The older FS42 will be behind in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography features
Pentax KP Portrait photography features
19
focusing manually not possible
manual exposure not possible
cannot use external flash
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW support
80
has manual focus
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
Pentax KP Street photography details
47
no moving screen
no image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of RAW support
max ISO too low (1,000)
76
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
good high ISO (819,200)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
Pentax KP Sports photography features
16
max frames per second very slow (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
lack of phase detect autofocus
72
maximum shutter speed is high (1/6,000s)
silent shutter (1/24,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
environment sealing
terrible battery life (390 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic FS42
Travel photography with Pentax KP
51
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
low megapixels (10MP)
display is not selfie friendly
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
61
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (24MP)
has built in flash
terrible battery life (390 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography info
Pentax KP Landscape photography info
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5 inch)
manual exposure not possible
no image stabilization
low megapixels (10MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
lack of RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
77
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is decent (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent sensor resolution (24 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
good high ISO (819,200)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
terrible battery life (390 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Pentax KP
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
34
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have external microphone jack
screen is not selfie friendly
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax KP Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax KP
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax KP
General Information
Brand Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax KP
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Introduced 2009-04-17 2017-01-26
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - PRIME IV
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 24MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Max resolution 3648 x 2736 6016 x 4000
Max native ISO 1000 819200
Max enhanced ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 100
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 27
Cross type focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 151
Focal length multiplier 6.3 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 921k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.63x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/6000 secs
Fastest silent shutter speed - 1/24000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 6.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, flash on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, trailing curtain sync, manual, wireless
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance 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) 1920 x 1080 (60i, 30p)
Max video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video file format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 gr (0.29 pounds) 703 gr (1.55 pounds)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 132 x 101 x 76mm (5.2" x 4.0" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 - 390 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI109
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 secs)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported)
Storage slots Single Single
Pricing at release $580 $747