Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II
95 Imaging
34 Features
21 Overall
28


59 Imaging
66 Features
84 Overall
73
Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 2.5" Fixed Display
- ISO 80 - 3200 (Increase to 6400)
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 640 x 480 video
- 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
- 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
- Launched January 2009
- Alternate Name is Lumix DMC-FX40
(Full Review)
- 24MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3.2" Fixed Screen
- ISO 100 - 51200
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- No Anti-Alias Filter
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 1920 x 1080 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 800g - 131 x 100 x 77mm
- Introduced April 2015
- Previous Model is Pentax K-3

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Overview
On this page, we will be matching up the Panasonic FX48 versus Pentax K-3 II, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Panasonic and Pentax. There is a large difference among the sensor resolutions of the FX48 (12MP) and K-3 II (24MP) and the FX48 (1/2.3") and K-3 II (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizes.

The FX48 was launched 7 years prior to the K-3 II which is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-3 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.
Before diving into a comprehensive comparison, here is a concise introduction of how the FX48 scores vs the K-3 II in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Gallery
Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 & Pentax K-3 II. The complete galleries are viewable at Panasonic FX48 Gallery & Pentax K-3 II Gallery.
Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax K-3 II
FX48 | K-3 II |
---|
Reasons to pick Pentax K-3 II over the Panasonic FX48
K-3 II | FX48 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | April 2015 | ![]() | January 2009 | Newer by 75 months |
Focus manually | ![]() | More precise focusing | ||
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 2.5" | Bigger screen (+0.7") |
Screen resolution | 1037k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+807k dot) |
Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-3 II
FX48 | K-3 II | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Absent selfie screen | ||
Touch screen | ![]() | Absent Touch screen |
Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Physical Comparison
When you are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to consider its weight and measurements. The Panasonic FX48 comes with exterior dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Pentax K-3 II has proportions of 131mm x 100mm x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") with a weight of 800 grams (1.76 lbs).
Contrast the Panasonic FX48 versus Pentax K-3 II in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the FX48 against the K-3 II.

Looking at size and weight, the portability score of the FX48 and K-3 II is 95 and 59 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Sensor Comparison
Generally, it is tough to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions purely by viewing technical specs. The picture underneath may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the FX48 and K-3 II.
As you can tell, the 2 cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor dimensions. The FX48 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-3 II will provide you with extra detail utilizing its extra 12MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots a bit more aggressively. The more aged FX48 will be behind with regard to sensor technology.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 | Pentax K-3 II | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Panasonic | Pentax |
Model type | Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 | Pentax K-3 II |
Also called | Lumix DMC-FX40 | - |
Type | Small Sensor Compact | Advanced DSLR |
Launched | 2009-01-27 | 2015-04-23 |
Physical type | Compact | Mid-size SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | - | Prime III |
Sensor type | CCD | CMOS |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 6.08 x 4.56mm | 23.5 x 15.6mm |
Sensor area | 27.7mm² | 366.6mm² |
Sensor resolution | 12 megapixels | 24 megapixels |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 |
Full resolution | 4000 x 3000 | 6016 x 4000 |
Max native ISO | 3200 | 51200 |
Max boosted ISO | 6400 | - |
Minimum native ISO | 80 | 100 |
RAW images | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Focus manually | ||
Touch focus | ||
Continuous AF | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
Selective AF | ||
AF center weighted | ||
AF multi area | ||
AF live view | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 11 | 27 |
Cross type focus points | - | 25 |
Lens | ||
Lens mount type | fixed lens | Pentax KAF2 |
Lens zoom range | 25-125mm (5.0x) | - |
Highest aperture | f/2.8-5.9 | - |
Macro focusing range | 5cm | - |
Total lenses | - | 151 |
Crop factor | 5.9 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display sizing | 2.5" | 3.2" |
Resolution of display | 230k dots | 1,037k dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch capability | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | Optical (pentaprism) |
Viewfinder coverage | - | 100 percent |
Viewfinder magnification | - | 0.64x |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 60s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/3000s | 1/8000s |
Continuous shooting rate | 2.0 frames/s | 8.3 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 6.00 m | no built-in flash |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync | Auto Flash Discharge, Auto Flash + Red-eye Reduction, Flash On, Flash On + Red-eye Reduction, Slow-speed Sync, Slow-speed Sync + Red-eye, P-TTL, Trailing Curtain Sync, Contrast-control-sync, High-speed sync, Wireless sync (available with dedicated external flash) |
External flash | ||
AE bracketing | ||
White balance bracketing | ||
Maximum flash synchronize | - | 1/180s |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Video resolutions | 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | 1920 x 1080 (60i, 50i, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p) |
Max video resolution | 640x480 | 1920x1080 |
Video format | Motion JPEG | MPEG-4, H.264 |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | None | Optional |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) | USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) |
GPS | None | BuiltIn |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 150g (0.33 lb) | 800g (1.76 lb) |
Physical dimensions | 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") | 131 x 100 x 77mm (5.2" x 3.9" x 3.0") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | 80 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 23.6 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 13.6 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 1106 |
Other | ||
Battery life | - | 720 shots |
Type of battery | - | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | - | D-LI90 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) |
Time lapse shooting | ||
Type of storage | SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC |
Card slots | 1 | 2 |
Cost at launch | $325 | $829 |