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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Optio P70 front
Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
20
Overall
28

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Expand to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
Pentax P70
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F2.8-5.0) lens
  • 155g - 97 x 54 x 22mm
  • Revealed March 2009
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax P70, both Ultracompact digital cameras by companies Panasonic and Pentax. The sensor resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the P70 (12MP) is pretty similar but the FS42 (1/2.5") and P70 (1/2.3") use different sensor sizing.

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The FS42 was brought out 2 months after the P70 and they are of a similar age. Both of these cameras come with the identical body type (Ultracompact).

Before diving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a short summary of how the FS42 grades vs the P70 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax P70

 FS42 P70 

Reasons to pick Pentax P70 over the Panasonic FS42

 P70 FS42 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax P70

 FS42 P70 
RevealedApril 2009March 2009Similar age
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys exterior measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") along with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax P70 has measurements of 97mm x 54mm x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax P70 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you select at that moment. Underneath is the front view measurements comparison of the FS42 versus the P70.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and P70 is 95 and 95 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to imagine the difference between sensor sizes merely by going over technical specs. The image below will give you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the FS42 and P70.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS42 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting bokeh tougher and the Pentax P70 will offer you more detail having its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots much more aggressively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Pentax P70
19
manual focus not available
manual exposure not available
cannot use external flash
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
27
focusing manually
lack of manual exposure
can't use external flash
MP count low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Pentax P70 Street photography features
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
47
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
heavier than average in class (155g)
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography features
Pentax P70 Sports photography features
16
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10MP)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect AF
17
low max shutter speed (1/1,000s)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Travel photography camera
51
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
56
flash built-in
decently wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than average in class (155g)
MP count low (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax P70 as a Landscape photography camera
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
manual exposure not available
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
very small sensor size (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse recording
32
focusing manually
decently wide (28mm)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual exposure
lack of image stabilization
MP count low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Pentax P70
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen isn't selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
doesn't have mic port
25
decently wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 pxls)
doesn't have external mic jack
heavier than average in class (155 grams)
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax P70 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax P70
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Optio P70
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Optio P70
Category Ultracompact Ultracompact
Released 2009-04-17 2009-03-02
Body design Ultracompact Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 12MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 -
Peak resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 64
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/2.8-5.0
Macro focusing distance 5cm 10cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Range of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 2.5 inches 2.7 inches
Resolution of display 230k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/1000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 2.0fps -
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 4.60 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync -
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) 1280 x 720 (15 fps), 848 x 480 (15 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG 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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 155g (0.34 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 97 x 54 x 22mm (3.8" x 2.1" x 0.9")
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
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC, Internal
Storage slots Single Single
Retail cost $580 $200