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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5

Portability
95
Imaging
35
Features
21
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax K-5 front
Portability
60
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Bump to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Revealed January 2009
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-FX40
Pentax K-5
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 740g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Released December 2010
  • Old Model is Pentax K-7
  • Later Model is Pentax K-5 IIs
Photography Glossary

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Overview

In this write-up, we are matching up the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-5, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the other is a Advanced DSLR by competitors Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a noticeable gap between the resolutions of the FX48 (12MP) and K-5 (16MP) and the FX48 (1/2.3") and K-5 (APS-C) feature totally different sensor dimensions.

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The FX48 was released 23 months prior to the K-5 making the cameras a generation away from one another. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before going straight into a complete comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the FX48 matches up versus the K-5 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax K-5

 FX48 K-5 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 over the Panasonic FX48

 K-5 FX48 
ReleasedDecember 2010January 2009More modern by 23 months
Manual focus More exact focusing
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution921k230kClearer display (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-5

 FX48 K-5 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither has Touch friendly display

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to carry around your camera frequently, you should factor its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX48 has physical dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") having a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) whilst the Pentax K-5 has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") along with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Analyze the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-5 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ based on the lens you select at that time. Here is the front view dimension comparison of the FX48 against the K-5.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the FX48 and K-5 is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The pic here should provide you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the FX48 and K-5.

As you can see, each of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The FX48 featuring a tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field trickier and the Pentax K-5 will deliver extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Greater resolution will let you crop photos far more aggressively. The more aged FX48 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Portrait photography information
Pentax K-5 Portrait photography information
27
features face detection focus
lack of manual focus
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
73
has manual focus
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Street photography factors
Pentax K-5 Street photography factors
57
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
fixed screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Sports photography info
Pentax K-5 Sports photography info
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
slow fps (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no phase detect auto focus
78
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography features
Pentax K-5 Travel photography features
58
built-in flash
relatively wide (25mm)
does not have Timelapse function
low resolution (12MP)
does not posses selfie friendly display
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
65
weather proof
resolution is good (16MP)
flash built-in
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Landscape photography camera
Pentax K-5 as a Landscape photography camera
33
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is small (2.5 inch)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor (1/2.3")
no RAW files
does not have Timelapse function
78
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
weather proof
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging highlights
Pentax K-5 Vlogging highlights
31
relatively wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
somewhat slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
does not posses selfie friendly display
low res video (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external microphone support
33
image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect autofocus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
includes mic socket
display isn't selfie friendly
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-5
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax K-5
General Information
Brand Name Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Pentax K-5
Also called as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Revealed 2009-01-27 2010-12-18
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Maximum resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 80 80
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
Multi area AF
Live view AF
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 11 11
Cross focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens focal range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Max aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focus range 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display diagonal 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230k dots 921k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Display technology - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 2.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 6.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
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 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 424 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
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 Optional
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 150 grams (0.33 lb) 740 grams (1.63 lb)
Dimensions 95 x 53 x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 82
DXO Color Depth score not tested 23.7
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.1
DXO Low light score not tested 1162
Other
Battery life - 980 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $325 $800