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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
10
Overall
23
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
45
Features
33
Overall
40

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 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
  • Launched April 2009
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Launched August 2005
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Below is a in depth analysis of the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax ist DS2, former being a Ultracompact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the sensor resolutions of the FS42 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the FS42 (1/2.5") and ist DS2 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FS42 was unveiled 3 years later than the ist DS2 and that is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FS42 being a Ultracompact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a detailed comparison, here is a brief overview of how the FS42 scores against the ist DS2 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FS42 over the Pentax ist DS2

 FS42 ist DS2 
LaunchedApril 2009August 2005More recent by 45 months
Display resolution230k210kClearer display (+20k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Panasonic FS42

 ist DS2 FS42 
Manual focus Dial accurate focus

Common features in the Panasonic FS42 and Pentax ist DS2

 FS42 ist DS2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Display dimensions2.5"2.5"Equal display sizing
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display No Touch friendly display

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera often, you will want to factor its weight and size. The Panasonic FS42 enjoys physical dimensions of 98mm x 55mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") with a weight of 132 grams (0.29 lbs) whilst the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

Take a look at the Panasonic FS42 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will change based on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is a front view overall size comparison of the FS42 against the ist DS2.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FS42 and ist DS2 is 95 and 68 respectively.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is very tough to visualise the difference between sensor measurements only by looking at specs. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the FS42 and ist DS2.

All in all, both of the cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor measurements. The FS42 using its tinier sensor will make shooting shallow depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic FS42 will resolve extra detail having an extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images a bit more aggressively. The fresher FS42 will have an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Portrait photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography details
19
lack of manual focus
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10MP)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
51
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
no liveview
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Street photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Street photography details
47
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have RAW support
low max ISO (1,000)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
lighter than average in class (605g)
fixed screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Sports photography details
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography details
16
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
doesn't have phase detect autofocus
39
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
no liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Travel photography information
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography information
51
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse recording
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
lighter than average in class (605 grams)
flash built-in
lack of Timelapse recording
low resolution sensor (6MP)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Landscape photography features
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography features
22
lack of manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
no manual mode
no image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
sensor size is very small (1/2.5")
low max ISO (1,000)
doesn't have RAW support
lack of Timelapse recording
47
has manual focus
swap lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
screen is somewhat small (2.5 inches)
no liveview
lack of image stabilization
low resolution sensor (6 megapixels)
lack of Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FS42 Vlogging info
Pentax ist DS2 Vlogging info
22
wide angle not the best (33mm)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is not selfie friendly
no image stabilization
low video resolution (640 x 480 pixels)
lack of microphone jack
22
lighter than average in class (605g)
doesn't have selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
video res low ( pxls)
lack of external microphone port
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Panasonic FS42 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FS42 and Pentax ist DS2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Make Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FS42 Pentax ist DS2
Class Ultracompact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2009-04-17 2005-08-22
Body design Ultracompact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/2.5" APS-C
Sensor measurements 5.744 x 4.308mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 24.7mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 1000 3200
Highest boosted ISO 6400 -
Minimum native ISO 80 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 33-132mm (4.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 5cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 6.3 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen sizing 2.5" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 2.0fps 3.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 6.30 m -
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
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) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 132 grams (0.29 lbs) 605 grams (1.33 lbs)
Physical dimensions 98 x 55 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.2" x 0.9") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 ID - 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC card, Internal SD/MMC card
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $580 -