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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs

Portability
95
Imaging
34
Features
21
Overall
28
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 front
 
Pentax K-5 IIs front
Portability
60
Imaging
58
Features
83
Overall
68

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Key Specs

Panasonic FX48
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 3200 (Boost to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-125mm (F2.8-5.9) lens
  • 150g - 95 x 53 x 22mm
  • Released January 2009
  • Additionally Known as Lumix DMC-FX40
Pentax K-5 IIs
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Introduced June 2013
  • Superseded the Pentax K-5
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Overview

The following is a detailed overview of the Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There is a sizable difference between the image resolutions of the FX48 (12MP) and K-5 IIs (16MP) and the FX48 (1/2.3") and K-5 IIs (APS-C) boast different sensor size.

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The FX48 was released 5 years before the K-5 IIs which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. The two cameras have different body design with the Panasonic FX48 being a Compact camera and the Pentax K-5 IIs being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving into a in depth comparison, here is a brief synopsis of how the FX48 matches up versus the K-5 IIs in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic FX48 over the Pentax K-5 IIs

 FX48 K-5 IIs 

Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 IIs over the Panasonic FX48

 K-5 IIs FX48 
IntroducedJune 2013January 2009Newer by 52 months
Manually focus More precise focusing
Screen dimensions3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution921k230kClearer screen (+691k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-5 IIs

 FX48 K-5 IIs 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Physical Comparison

If you're planning to travel with your camera, you have to factor in its weight and volume. The Panasonic FX48 provides external dimensions of 95mm x 53mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.1" x 0.9") along with a weight of 150 grams (0.33 lbs) and the Pentax K-5 IIs has sizing of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs).

Compare the Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you have chosen at that time. Following is a front view sizing comparison of the FX48 compared to the K-5 IIs.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the FX48 and K-5 IIs is 95 and 60 respectively.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs top view buttons comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it's tough to visualize the gap between sensor dimensions only by reading a spec sheet. The pic below might offer you a better sense of the sensor dimensions in the FX48 and K-5 IIs.

Clearly, each of the cameras provide different megapixels and different sensor dimensions. The FX48 due to its tinier sensor is going to make shooting shallower DOF more challenging and the Pentax K-5 IIs will offer you extra detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The more aged FX48 is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs sensor size comparison

Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Screen and ViewFinder

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

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Panasonic FX48
Portrait photography with Pentax K-5 IIs
27
has face detect autofocus
manual focus not available
cannot use external flash
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
74
manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Panasonic FX48 as a Street photography camera
Pentax K-5 IIs as a Street photography camera
56
built in image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
no moving screen
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Sports photography details
Pentax K-5 IIs Sports photography details
25
built in image stabilization (Optical)
continuous shooting slow (2.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low MP (12 megapixels)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect autofocus
79
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
supports phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Travel photography info
Pentax K-5 IIs Travel photography info
58
built-in flash
quite wide (25mm)
no Timelapse mode
low MP (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
65
weather sealing
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not have a selfie friendly display
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Landscape photography highlights
Pentax K-5 IIs Landscape photography highlights
33
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
manual focus not available
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
tiny screen (2.5 inches)
low MP (12MP)
sensor size is tiny (1/2.3")
lacks RAW format
no Timelapse mode
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen is a good size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
does not have anti aliasing filter
delivers RAW formats
weather sealing
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Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic FX48 Vlogging factors
Pentax K-5 IIs Vlogging factors
30
quite wide (25mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
sluggish max aperture (f2.8)
does not have selfie friendly display
video resolution low (640 x 480 pixels)
no microphone port
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
video res high (1920 x 1080 pixels)
comes with microphone socket
does not have a selfie friendly display
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Panasonic FX48 vs Pentax K-5 IIs Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic FX48 and Pentax K-5 IIs
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48Pentax K-5 IIs
General Information
Company Panasonic Pentax
Model type Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX48 Pentax K-5 IIs
Otherwise known as Lumix DMC-FX40 -
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Released 2009-01-27 2013-06-04
Physical type Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Prime II
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.7 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 27.7mm² 372.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 4000 x 3000 4928 x 3264
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Maximum enhanced ISO 6400 51200
Min native ISO 80 100
RAW data
Min enhanced ISO - 80
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Total focus points 11 11
Cross type focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF2
Lens zoom range 25-125mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Total lenses - 151
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.5 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dots 921 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech - TFT LCD monitor
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.61x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/3000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 2.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 6.00 m 13.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/180 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported 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 480 (25, 30 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video format Motion JPEG Motion JPEG
Microphone 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 proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 150g (0.33 lb) 760g (1.68 lb)
Physical 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 Overall rating not tested 82
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 23.9
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 14.1
DXO Low light rating not tested 1208
Other
Battery life - 980 images
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID - D-LI90
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC
Card slots 1 1
Price at release $325 $749