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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Q front
Portability
93
Imaging
35
Features
47
Overall
39

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q 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
  • Launched April 2009
Pentax Q
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 180g - 98 x 57 x 31mm
  • Introduced June 2011
  • Replacement is Pentax Q10
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q Overview

Its time to look a bit more in depth at the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax Q, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the Q (12MP) is relatively comparable but the FS42 (1/2.5") and Q (1/2.3") have totally different sensor size.

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The FS42 was unveiled 3 years prior to the Q and that is a fairly large gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax Q being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick synopsis of how the FS42 matches up against the Q with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax Q

 FS42 Q 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q over the Panasonic FS42

 Q FS42 
IntroducedJune 2011April 2009Fresher by 26 months
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kClearer screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q

 FS42 Q 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys outer dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") having a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q has dimensions of 98mm x 57mm x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2") accompanied by a weight of 180 grams (0.40 lbs).

Check out the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax Q in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are employing at that time. Following is a front view dimension comparison of the FS42 vs the Q.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and Q is 95 and 93 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q Sensor Comparison

Generally, it can be hard to see the contrast in sensor sizing just by checking out technical specs. The photograph underneath will help provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and Q.

As you can tell, each of the cameras provide different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The FS42 using its smaller sensor will make achieving shallow depth of field tougher and the Pentax Q will produce greater detail having an extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots more aggressively. The older FS42 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
Pentax Q Portrait photography details
19
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not available
no external flash support
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
45
manual focus
high flash sync speed (1/2,000 seconds)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic FS42
Street photography with Pentax Q
47
fixed screen
no image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no RAW format
max ISO too low (1,000)
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
lighter than competition in class (180g)
no articulating screen
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography details
Pentax Q Sports photography details
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 fps)
no shutter priority mode
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10MP)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
no phase detect autofocus
31
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking autofocus
max fps very slow (2.0 fps)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Travel photography camera
Pentax Q as a Travel photography camera
51
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
resolution not great (10MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
57
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse mode
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
resolution not great (12 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography advice
Pentax Q Landscape photography advice
22
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
manual mode not available
no image stabilization
resolution not great (10 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.5")
max ISO too low (1,000)
no RAW format
lack of Time Lapse function
51
manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
exports RAW files
resolution not great (12MP)
sensor is tiny (1/2.3")
terrible battery power (230 CIPA)
lack of Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging info
Pentax Q Vlogging info
22
wide angle not good (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
no image stabilization
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
lack of mic jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 resolution)
lighter than competition in class (180 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly display
lack of external mic socket
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Q
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Q
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Launched 2009-04-17 2011-06-23
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
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 10 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 1000 6400
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 125
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points - 25
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens focal range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 8
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Lowest shutter speed 60s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/2000s
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 2.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.30 m 5.60 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/2000s
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic port
Headphone port
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 proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 132g (0.29 lb) 180g (0.40 lb)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 98 x 57 x 31mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 47
DXO Color Depth score not tested 20.2
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.1
DXO Low light score not tested 189
Other
Battery life - 230 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots One One
Cost at launch $580 $695