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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax K-3 II front
Portability
59
Imaging
66
Features
84
Overall
73

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(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
Pentax K-3 II
(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
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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.

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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.

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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 
IntroducedApril 2015January 2009Newer by 75 months
Focus manually More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3.2"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.7")
Screen resolution1037k230kSharper screen (+807k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-3 II

 FX48 K-3 II 
Screen typeFixed 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II size comparison

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 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX48
Portrait photography with Pentax K-3 II
27
comes with face detection focusing
lack of manual focus
external flash not possible
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
79
you can focus manually
good megapixels (24 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has face detect focus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
screen is fixed
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
69
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Panasonic FX48
Sports photography with Pentax K-3 II
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
very slow continuous shooting (2.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (720 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography advice
Pentax K-3 II Travel photography advice
58
flash built-in
pretty wide (25mm)
missing Timelapse recording
low megapixels (12MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
56
weather sealing
good megapixels (24MP)
low battery (720 CIPA)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-3 II as a Landscape photography camera
33
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
can't swap lenses (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
low megapixels (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW format
missing Timelapse recording
78
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3.2")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (24MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have low pass filter
great ISO range (51,200)
saves RAW formats
weather sealing
2 card slots
low battery (720 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging details
Pentax K-3 II Vlogging details
30
pretty wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
comes with face detection focusing
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
missing external microphone jack
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
has face detect focus
great video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with mic support
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-3 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-3 II
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax 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