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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax Q10 front
Portability
92
Imaging
36
Features
56
Overall
44

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Key Specs

Panasonic FS42
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1000 (Boost to 6400)
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 33-132mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 132g - 98 x 55 x 22mm
  • Introduced April 2009
Pentax Q10
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax Q Mount
  • 200g - 102 x 58 x 34mm
  • Announced September 2012
  • Superseded the Pentax Q
  • Replacement is Pentax Q7
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Overview

Below, we will be reviewing the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10, one being a Ultracompact and the latter is a Entry-Level Mirrorless by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. The resolution of the FS42 (10MP) and the Q10 (12MP) is pretty well matched but the FS42 (1/2.5") and Q10 (1/2.3") come with totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was launched 4 years earlier than the Q10 and that is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras come with different body type with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax Q10 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera.

Before delving in to a full comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the FS42 matches up against the Q10 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax Q10

 FS42 Q10 

Reasons to pick Pentax Q10 over the Panasonic FS42

 Q10 FS42 
AnnouncedSeptember 2012April 2009Fresher by 41 months
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution460k230kCrisper screen (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q10

 FS42 Q10 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither has selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to consider its weight and dimensions. The Panasonic FS42 has external measurements of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") and a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax Q10 has dimensions of 102mm x 58mm x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3") and a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).

Check the Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you choose during that time. The following is the front view proportions comparison of the FS42 against the Q10.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FS42 and Q10 is 95 and 92 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, its hard to envision the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through a spec sheet. The graphic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FS42 and Q10.

Clearly, the two cameras have got different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The FS42 because of its tinier sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field tougher and the Pentax Q10 will give you greater detail utilizing its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots much more aggressively. The older FS42 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FS42
Portrait photography with Pentax Q10
19
manual focus not available
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
48
you can focus manually
above average flash sync (1/2,000 seconds)
has face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography advice
Pentax Q10 Street photography advice
47
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks RAW support
maximum ISO low (1,000)
68
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
lighter than competitors (200g)
fixed screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Sports photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Sports photography camera
16
low frames per second (2.0 fps)
lack of shutter priority mode
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
lacks phase detect auto focus
36
high shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has tracking focus
very slow continuous shooting (5.0 frames/s)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (270 CIPA)
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography info
Pentax Q10 Travel photography info
51
has built in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low MP (10MP)
does not contain selfie friendly display
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
60
lighter than competitors (200 grams)
has built in flash
not so great battery (270 per charge)
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax Q10 as a Landscape photography camera
22
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
small screen (2.5")
manual mode not possible
lack of image stabilization
low MP (10 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.5")
maximum ISO low (1,000)
lacks RAW support
doesn't have Timelapse recording
54
you can focus manually
change lenses (Pentax Q mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
saves RAW formats
low resolution sensor (12 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery (270 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging info
Pentax Q10 Vlogging info
22
wide angle not fantastic (33mm)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
doesn't have external microphone jack
35
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than competitors (200g)
doesn't posses selfie friendly screen
doesn't have microphone support
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax Q10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax Q10
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax Q10
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax Q10
Type Ultracompact Entry-Level Mirrorless
Introduced 2009-04-17 2012-09-10
Physical type Ultracompact Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4000 x 3000
Maximum native ISO 1000 6400
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 100
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 25
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Pentax Q
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Available lenses - 8
Crop factor 6.3 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dots 460 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Screen tech - TFT Color LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (optional)
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 5.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.30 m 7.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Trailing-curtain sync
Hot shoe
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/2000 secs
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 (30 fps), 1280 x 720p (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 lb) 200 grams (0.44 lb)
Dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 102 x 58 x 34mm (4.0" x 2.3" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating not tested 49
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 21.1
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 10.9
DXO Low light rating not tested 183
Other
Battery life - 270 pictures
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI68
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at launch $580 $350