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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Optio RS1500 front
Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
30
Overall
34

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Push to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Released April 2009
Pentax RS1500
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-110mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 157g - 114 x 58 x 28mm
  • Introduced March 2011
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Overview

Below, we will be comparing the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax RS1500, one is a Ultracompact and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by brands Panasonic and Pentax. There is a huge difference between the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and RS1500 (14MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and RS1500 (1/2.3") feature different sensor sizes.

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The FS42 was introduced 23 months prior to the RS1500 which makes the cameras a generation away from each other. Both the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax RS1500 being a Compact camera.

Before delving through a detailed comparison, below is a short summation of how the FS42 scores versus the RS1500 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax RS1500

 FS42 RS1500 

Reasons to pick Pentax RS1500 over the Panasonic FS42

 RS1500 FS42 
IntroducedMarch 2011April 2009More modern by 23 months
Manually focus Dial exact focus
Screen dimension2.7"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.2")

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax RS1500

 FS42 RS1500 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen resolution230k230kThe same screen resolution
Selfie screen Neither contains selfie screen
Touch screen Lack of Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you are going to need to factor in its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FS42 has got physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) and the Pentax RS1500 has proportions of 114mm x 58mm x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1") accompanied by a weight of 157 grams (0.35 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax RS1500 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the FS42 against the RS1500.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the FS42 and RS1500 is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes simply by checking specifications. The picture here will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor dimensions in the FS42 and RS1500.

To sum up, both the cameras have got different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FS42 with its tinier sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field harder and the Pentax RS1500 will give you greater detail using its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures much more aggressively. The more aged FS42 is going to be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Pentax RS1500
19
lack of manual focus
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
35
has manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography features
Pentax RS1500 Street photography features
47
no articulating screen
lack of image stabilization
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
low max ISO (1,000)
54
environment sealing
no moving screen
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FS42
Sports photography with Pentax RS1500
16
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
37
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment sealing
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography advice
Pentax RS1500 Travel photography advice
51
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse function
low MP (10MP)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
67
environment sealing
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Panasonic FS42
Landscape photography with Pentax RS1500
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inch)
lack of manual mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
tiny sensor (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Time Lapse function
40
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
megapixel count good (14MP)
environment sealing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
no manual mode
does not have image stabilization
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have RAW support
doesn't have Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Panasonic FS42
Vlogging with Pentax RS1500
22
wide angle not great (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
low quality video (640 x 480 pxls)
lack of external mic socket
25
relatively wide (28mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
does not have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have mic jack
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax RS1500 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax RS1500
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Optio RS1500
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Optio RS1500
Type Ultracompact Small Sensor Compact
Released 2009-04-17 2011-03-16
Body design Ultracompact Compact
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 surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 -
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) 28-110mm (3.9x)
Largest aperture f/2.8-5.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 5cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5" 2.7"
Display resolution 230 thousand dot 230 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Display technology - TFT color LCD with Anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 4 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/1500 secs
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 6.30 m 3.90 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB 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) 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1280x720
Video file 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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 pounds) 157g (0.35 pounds)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 114 x 58 x 28mm (4.5" x 2.3" x 1.1")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $580 $150